Stephane Leoni last night defended Alex Smith's decision to flood Tannadice with foreigners. Leoni is one of nine foreign imports who have arrived at Dundee United since Smith replaced Paul Sturrock as manager in August. The former Metz midfielder is fighting to win a long-term deal at the struggling Tayside club after joining from Bristol Rovers last month. Leoni has assured the disillusioned United support the new arrivals will come good soon - and prove the Scotland Under-21 gaffer's policy of recruiting non-Scots is the right one.

Leoni said: "Scottish football is a lot quicker and more physical than anything I've experienced so far in my career. "I'm still trying to adjust to the way the game is played here and it's the same for the others who haven't played in Scotland before. "Alex is a very good coach with a lot of experience and he will get things right soon." Smith has yet to win an SPL match as his side remain isolated at the bottom of the league. But Leoni, 24, believes they need only one victory before finally kick-starting their season. He said: "We're in a false position because we're a much better team than our position suggests. "We're a better team than Dundee, even though they beat us recently, and St Mirren who we drew against at home."

However, defender Reynaldo Clavasquin's Tannadice career seems over before it has started. The Honduran centre-back has returned home for family reasons. United assistant John Blackley said: "At this stage there is uncertainty as to whether he will return." ©Daily Record