| United want to use one of their emergency loans to bring in Cardiff City goalkeeper David Forde for the rest of the season and have agreed a deal with the Welsh club.
It’s been stalled, though, because of the rule that states no player can turn-out at competitive level for more than two clubs in any given season.
That hasn’t stop the Tangerines pressing ahead with Forde’s move and, today, they were seeking special dispensation to allow him to move north.
“The situation is that, with Grezgorz Szamotulski leaving, I have only Lukasz Zaluska, with Euan McLean as back-up, but I want to put Euan out on loan,” explained boss Craig Levein.
“Euan’s contract is up in the summer and we need to see him in action regularly, so we can decide if he should get a new deal.
“If he stays here that isn’t going to happen because he’ll be on the bench and we want to give him every chance to secure his future.
“That’s why I contacted Cardiff about Forde and they are willing to let him come. The problem is he’s played one Welsh Cup tie for them, as well as going on loan to Luton, so he’s hit by this three-club rule.
“The Welsh FA and the English FA both agree it should not apply to him because he’s an emergency loan, but the SFA don’t agree, so, right now, the deal can’t go through. We feel he should be allowed to play for us, so we are contacting FIFA with an appeal and, hopefully, they will look favourably on the situation.”
Right now, there seems no chance of Forde being cleared in time to make the squad for tomorrow’s Scottish Cup trip to St Mirren, but United are hopeful of getting their man soon.
Like every other tie, if the weather forecast is accurate, the Love Street visit will be in doubt. Today, though, the surface was playable and there were no plans for an inspection.
If the game does go ahead, loan signing from Celtic Jim O’Brien will watch from the stand because he is cup-tied.
The big decision facing the manager is who should replace Barry Robson in the line-up following his £1.25 million move to Celtic, and who should take over from him as skipper — Lee Wilkie and Darren Dods are the captaincy candidates.
Late yesterday, United did make an inquiry about Airdrie United’s Alan Russell, who is also wanted by Kilmarnock. The Tannadice interest in Russell is unlikely to be pursued.
Although tomorrow’s game is listed as all-ticket, tickets will be readily available at kiosks adjacent to the Love Street turnstiles. |
