Their work, however, is to be done with the youth team and, while United will ensure they get proper training, there is an obvious hope this will speed their departure.

“I’ve decided this is the best way forward and that is all there really is to say,” said boss Craig Brewster, who wants the three out as quickly as possible so he can start bringing others in.

Two more players Craig told to move on, Derek McInnes and Grant Brebner, both look to have got themselves fixed up elsewhere.

McInnes was due to sign his severance package today and could be heading for St Johnstone as a player/coach, while United expect to hear from Melbourne Victory about Brebner.

Reports from Australia say they have now offered the ex-Hibs and Manchester United man a contract and that deal could be done before the end of the week.

An experienced keeper, though, is the one position he wants resolved as early as possible to give the new man a chance to build an understanding with the defence.

That led to contact being made with an English Championship club about a possible season-long loan deal for an as yet unnamed man.

While, however, the club liked the idea in principle, a long-term injury to another of the goalkeepers on their books means it is almost certainly going to be a non-starter.

“I have spoken further to the club and they say they would be happy for their man to come here next season, but they won’t be in a position to give us him for four or five weeks,” explained Alex.

“The problem is that they have another keeper who was out for a year until the final few games of last season and they want to see how he is in training before letting the other guy go.

“That’s really no good to us, because I want someone in as soon as possible, so I have been in touch with someone else and I am hoping to have an answer on that one in the next day or so.”

Meanwhile, as the rest of his team-mates started their pre-season work yesterday, injured defender Lee Wilkie was at Hampden for hi-tech tests on his knee.

They will tell him exactly how much work he still needs to do to strengthen his leg enough to resume full training and it is likely to take him another four weeks to reach that stage.