Dundee United manager Robbie Neilson has confirmed that former Aberdeen midfielder Peter Pawlett is on his shopping list.
Pawlett, who turns 28 this weekend, is currently on the books of MK Dons and Neilson knows him well from their time together at the English League Two club.
With the transfer window closing tomorrow night, the Tannadice boss is working against the clock to get Pawlett and a few other fresh faces in.
He sees the player, who also had a spell on loan at St Johnstone, as being ready-made not just for the Championship but also the top flight should United win promotion.
Neilson said: “I know Peter from my time at MK and took him to the club. I really like him.
“We have been trying to get him because we want experienced guys, some who even have top-six experience.
“That is because, if we do make it up we won’t have to have a total refresh in the summer.
“There are also a few other ones bubbling away just now.
“I have to recruit to improve the squad and I am actively trying to do that.
“The January window is always tough though.
“Ideally, you wouldn’t want to bring anyone in and normally it’s just maybe one or two but we need quite a bit more than that.
“The work will continue over the next couple of days.
“You can think you have someone in the door but it doesn’t happen but we are working hard.”
Neilson is also aiming to move people out the door and Billy King is poised to join Gillingham on loan, while William Edjengue completed a loan switch to Falkirk until the end of the season and teams up again with ex-United boss Ray McKinnon.
The manager confirmed: “Billy is going to Gillingham.
“He is going there until the end of the season and it is great for Billy.
“He is desperate to go down to England and try it, so it’s an opportunity for him to go and do it.
“There are also a few who will move (out) in the next day or two.
“I knew when I came in that we needed to refresh the squad and we are doing that.
“What you can’t do when you first come in is say you are going to change the whole squad around.
“You have to manage it and make the changes when you can.”
One new arrival who has impressed Neilson is goalkeeper Ross Laidlaw.
He said: “He has been doing really well and I’m pleased with him.
“Matej Rakovan’s family had moved back to the Czech Republic and he was wanting to go back so we had to make a change.
“Ross became available and he has won the Championship before with Hibs.
“He is a good age and can come in and compete with Benjamin (Siegrist).”
Neilson has spent the days since Friday’s miserable defeat at Ayr telling his players they can’t afford to feel sorry for themselves.
Next up for United is a home match against Morton on Saturday, with the manager saying: “We are looking forward to playing at Tannadice and with a few new players in to lift the place hopefully we can get the three points.”
