Dundee United boss Peter Houston has revealed that he expects Morgaro Gomis to leave the club at the end of the season.
The Senegal international is one of a number of players out of contract in the summer, along with Craig Conway and Prince Buaben, so is free to move on for nothing.
United had been speaking to him about a new deal but, while Gomis has not dismissed the idea of staying at Tannadice, Houston believes the midfielder is looking for a new challenge.
Despite the uncertainty over his future the United manager insists he will have no problems picking the 25-year-old for Wednesday’s clash with Motherwell or for any other match this season.
He explained, “We have not really spoken to Morgaro since before Christmas about a contract.
“Personally, I think he’s maybe looking to move to pastures new. That is still to be 100% decided and he has not indicated that to me.
“But he’s been here for a few years now and while he’s enjoyed it that’s maybe what he wants to do. He will still play. I won’t cut my nose off to spite my face.
“I will still play players who have not signed contracts as long as they are doing the business. Morgaro’s form dipped a wee bit but I think he’s getting back to his best and he’s such an honest boy.”
Houston is considering naming winger Craig Conway on the bench for the visit of Stuart McCall’s men now the Scotland international has recovered from his knee injury.
He said, “Craig Conway and Swanson are in the squad. If I do put Craig on the bench he’d only manage 15-20 minutes so I’ll have to decide whether to do it or leave him.
“It will be a hard game. I watched Motherwell beat Dundee on Sunday. They were clinical in front of goal and got ahead early in the match.
“Jamie Murphy is a great player, a future Scotland player in my view, and in John Sutton they have someone who is a real handful. The players will have taken a boost from Stuart coming in and he will be looking to build on Sunday’s result.”
Meanwhile, David Robertson is hoping that flat-mate David Goodwillie’s form on their new darts board won’t be replicated in the Motherwell penalty box.
The pair and striker Johnny Russell have been inspired by the recent darts tournaments on television so invested in a board of their own for the property they share.
Rangers targetRobertson, who is in line to play tonight, has seen Rangers target Goodwillie attract the headlines all season for his goals but is glad to have brought him down to earth by handing out a defeat on the oche.
He explained, “The three of us just decided to buy a dart board for the house and we have had some great fun on it already.
“I really enjoyed playing Goodie especially, because he is so competitive when it comes to any sport. In the end, I won. Needless to say Goodie was not too happy because he never likes losing.
“That’s just the way he is even in a fun game like darts but that probably means he’ll be desperate to take his frustration out by scoring against Motherwell.
“He’s still a bit annoyed, to be honest, and we have been having a bit of banter about it. He’s a bad loser.
“We missed him against Ross County so we’re glad he’s back. I think any team would miss someone of his quality so we will be delighted to have him back in the team on Wednesday.”
Goodwillie was the subject of a £600,000 verbal offer from Rangers on Friday as they seek to replace Kenny Miller.
It remains to be seen whether Walter Smith comes back in with another bid but other clubs such as Blackpool, Swansea and Birmingham have also been linked with him.
Robertson knows Goodwillie will be a major loss should he move on this month but insists he deserves a chance to play at a higher level.
He said, “He has been different class for us and I’m sure that will continue as long as he’s here.
“The remarkable thing is that he’s not had that many chances but it just seems that whenever one falls his way he’s absolutely clinical.
“We all know what David brings to the team and it is no wonder he’s been attracting a lot of attention.
“However, he’s so focused on his football every time he goes out onto the park that nothing really gets to him.
“He is itching to get back in the team and I am sure the fans will get a big boost as well so see him leading the line again.”
The United players are keen to improve on their Scottish Cup showing against Ross County on Saturday.
Robertson said, “We haven’t had a home league match at Tannadice for some time and the supporters will be looking forward to it just as much as the players.
“We want to give them something to shout about. Three points in the SPL against a good side is what we are all determined to try and get.”
Motherwell have no fresh injury problems for the trip to Tannadice.
But Marc Fitzpatrick’s future is uncertain as he mulls over an offer to extend his contract, which expired after the 4-0 Scottish Cup win against Dundee on Sunday.
Steven Saunders remains on the sidelines with a hamstring injury.