Simon Donnelly admits the fact that Robbie Muirhead could not get a game against Aberdeen last Sunday shows just how strong the Dundee United squad is at the moment.
The 19-year-old striker was an unused substitute against the Dons with manager Jackie McNamara starting with Mario Bilate and then bringing forwards Darko Bodul and Simon Murray off the bench during the game.
However, assistant boss Donnelly is certain that Muirhead will get his chance and will be an important player for United this season.
He said: “Robbie did very well coming in towards the end of last season.
“It is probably testament to the other guys that he didn’t get a chance at the weekend.
“Mario Bilate did well in pre-season and Simon Murray has really kicked on.
“We have good options there but Robbie will prove throughout the season that he will be a good player for us I have no doubt about that.
“He has shown in the short time he has been here that he can lead the line for us.
“It is just about being patient and taking his chance when he gets it.
“It was a tough decision even picking the subs at the weekend but that’s what we want.
“We have Callum Morris and Ryan Dow ready to come back in to what we already think is a strong squad.
“But you don’t want to be sitting scratching your head worrying about who’s going to go in, you want two or three people for each position.”
Donnelly revealed that the aforementioned injured duo are edging closer to making their comebacks.
He added: “Callum is going to be another couple of weeks.
“Ryan might be another wee while.
“As it’s a knee injury, the medical staff want to keep him away from the contact side of things.
“But he’s certainly looking stronger so maybe he’ll be back in two or three weeks.”
With club captain Sean Dillon being selected on the bench at the weekend against Aberdeen, Ryan McGowan skippered United.
Donnelly admitted the Australian full-back will continue in that role until “Dillo” makes his return to the team.
He said: “Dillo is the club captain but he wasn’t in the starting XI so Gowser was given the armband.
“That is a decision the gaffer has made and I don’t see it changing until Dillo’s back in the team.
“Nothing really ruffles Gowser at all.
“He has a calm personality which rubs off on everybody else.
“He’s not really a shouter he leads by example. He is a good one to have in the dressing-room.”