Winger Sean O’Connor has played himself into contention for a starting place when Dundee United take on Dunfermline at Tannadice on Saturday. The 19-year-old, signed from English non-league side Hednesford Town last season, has impressed boss Alex Smith in recent Under-21 outings. Last night he was star man in the 1-1 draw with St Johnstone, setting up the home equaliser for Jim Hamilton after a dazzling 60-yard run down the left. That will earn him at least a place on the bench against the Pars, and Alex admitted he would be giving serious thought to handing the young Englishman a starting place.

"Sean is by no means the finished article, but he has been making a lot of progress recently. He was in the squad for the Motherwell game, but then got a groin injury just after it and had to drop out of the reckoning for a couple of matches. "He’s fine now, and did well again last night. He ran all of 60 yards to set up Jim Hamilton’s goal and, at over six feet, he is not your average winger. "He’s got ability, though, and gives us something different. That is what we need because we are definitely too predictable at the moment." Goalscorer Hamilton, who has been surplus to requirements at first-team level, was watched by a number of scouts last night, and the former Dundee, Hearts and Aberdeen man could be on the way out of United soon.

With only one re-arranged Under-21 game scheduled between now and February, Alex hopes to be getting some of his younger players out of the door as well - though only on a temporary basis. "We’ll need to fix up friendlies to keep players ticking over and I’ll also be happy to send some of them out on loan to give them competitive action in the next couple of months or so," he explained.

One player already on his way is full-back David Worrell. He has joined up with former boss Paul Sturrock at Plymouth Argyle for a three-month loan. The former Republic of Ireland Under-21 has been sidelined by a succession of injuries this year, and has been given the chance to build his match fitness in the English Third Division. United’s SPL clash with Kilmarnock next week has been confirmed for a week tonight and not the following evening as the league had originally stated. ©Evening Telegraph