Although he is still out of the country for another couple of days, the manager has been in daily contact with other managers and agents, but, while more signings are in the pipeline, work to finalise them remains to be done.

“Things take time, that’s just the way of it. We’ll be talking about it tomorrow, but we will have some new faces then and I am still looking to do more business,” said Craig.

Once he’s back behind his desk, he will also be checking the situation regarding those players he wants to move out.

Millwall were due to announce a signing today, but it is understood Derek McInnes will not now be heading for the New Den.

The veteran midfielder had the offer of a player-coaching post under new Lions boss Nigel Spackman, but wants to stay in Scotland and is likely to still be a United employee when pre-season training gets under way a week today.

Craig is aware of that and is also looking to get up-to-date with the situation regarding Grant Brebner and Jim McIntyre, in particular, over the next few days.

“I’ve been concentrating on getting people in, but I’ll need to see what progress with the ones who may be leaving has been made,” he added.

“Grant has gone to Australia to check on things with a club (Melbourne Victory) there and, hopefully, things will work out for him.”

With the Aussie season starting in two months, should Brebner sign up, it would be preferable if he could just stay Down Under, but his need to agree a severance package may mean he has to make the long haul back to Scotland.

McIntyre has been a Dunfermline target for some time now and it is understood his move there now hinges on his reaching terms with United.

Striker Tam McManus is being linked with a switch to Darlington.

Another striker, Steven Craig, has turned down the offer of a new deal and will instead be joining First Division rivals Livingston for next season.

Signed by Alan Kernaghan early last term, the former Motherwell and Aberdeen man had originally been told he was being released following an injury-hit campaign.

The arrival of the new management team, however, saw that decision reversed and terms were offered.

Today, however, Dave McKinnon confirmed Craig would, after all, be on his way,

“We spoke to Steven and he appreciated our offer, but he did say another club was interested. He has contacted us today to let us know he has decided to go to Livingston,” said Dave.

“Now it’s just a case of wishing him all the best and thanking him for giving us a speedy answer.

“We have a small budget and we need to know that any players are committed to where we are going and, if he had any doubts, it is better that he takes up the other offer.”