And, even if Gordon does not get the man he wants before this window shuts, his search for talent will continue in preparation for the next in January.

There is a chance that, by then, Lee Mair will at last be ready to kick-start his interrupted career at Tannadice. Earlier this month, he had an operation on the knee he damaged in training back in February, and surgeons are happy with the outcome.

He still has several months of rehabilitation work to undertake, but the former Dundee and Stockport man could be back in action around Christmas.

United are hopeful Collin Samuel’s absence with the hamstring injury that forced him off against Inverness Caley Thistle on Sunday will be considerably shorter.

Samuel was quickly withdrawn from the Trinidad squad for this weekend’s World Cup qualifier against Guatemala, but could make his club’s trip to Edinburgh to face Hibs on Saturday week.

“We got Collin off quickly and, hopefully, that has limited the damage. The extent of the problem is being assessed and we will have to see how he progresses,” explained Gordon.