Dundee United

Tyrone Smith, BBC Sport Scotland

Peter Pawlett hopes his injury troubles are now behind him and that he can make a major contribution to Dundee United's Premiership survival bid.

After being sidelined with a hamstring injury since the start of February, Pawlett, 32, could return to the squad for this weekend's visit of St Mirren.

Injury issues have meant he has only featured eight times this season for United, are three points adrift at the bottom of the table.

Last season an Achilles injury meant his campaign was cut short in March.

"I came back from my Achilles and felt in a good place," said Pawlett. "And then I got a setback again, came back, got another setback, so hopefully I can now kick on.

"I am not going to take anything for granted, I am just going to continue working hard in the gym.

"I suffered with my Achilles, I had a really bad one. So pulling my hamstring I took it as ‘that is nothing, I can get back from that’ and thankfully I feel really good.

"Hopefully my luck will change and I can score some goals and put in some good performances and keep us up."

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Tyrone Smith, BBC Sport Scotland

Dundee United boss Jim Goodwin has praised the “positive impact” of Ryan Edwards since the underperforming skipper was dropped.

Defender Edwards was an unused substitute as United battled back for a 1-1 draw at Livingston last time out, but Goodwin says there was no sulking and the skipper still led by example.

Goodwin, whose said host St Mirren on Saturday, said: “Ryan’s reaction to coming out of the team has been exceptional, he is very understanding of it.

“Ryan is an honest big guy who realises that his performances haven’t been at the levels he is capable of.

“I have been in that situation myself as a player, when you are used to playing regularly but you are going through a bit of a difficult period and sometimes coming out for a game or two can have a real positive impact. I have certainly seen that in training with Ryan, his attitude has been excellent.

"He is still being the leader of the group. Before the game against Livingston he wasn’t hiding away in the corner keeping himself to himself, he is well aware of how important this is to everybody and how big a part he is going to play.

“And the fact he was out of the team against Livingston doesn’t mean he is not going to feature at some point on Saturday. He is not bombed out completely, he is still going to play a big role between now and the end of the season."

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Tyrone Smith, BBC Sport Scotland

Jim Goodwin has been speaking to the media before Dundee United's Premiership game with St Mirren this weekend.

Here are the key lines from the United boss:

• Skipper Ryan Edwards' response to being dropped for the draw at Livingston has been "exceptional", with Goodwin adding he still has a big role to play this season.

• Having more time on the training ground has been hugely beneficial and the manager insists everyone in the squad is fully committed to the cause.

• The club's hierarchy have made funds available to add to the squad and Goodwin is seeking a "rough diamond" that hasn't been snapped up yet.

• Dylan Levitt remains out, the club are waiting to learn the severity of his injury. Glenn Middleton is also still sidelined, but Peter Pawlett returns to the squad.

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Dundee United midfielder Jamie McGrath is in line to face Kylian Mbappe after being named in the Republic of Ireland squad.

Stephen Kenny's side host Latvia in a friendly on 22 March before starting their Euro 2024 qualifying bid against striker Mbappe's superstar-packed France in Dublin five days later.

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• Dundee United have lost their last four league games at home. They haven't suffered five consecutive top-flight home defeats since August 2003 under Ian McCall.

• St Mirren have won each of their last three away league games at Dundee United, scoring 10 goals in the process.

• Dundee United’s Jim Goodwin has won just one of his last 10 Scottish Premiership games as a manager, drawing two and losing seven, and lost to former club St Mirren as Aberdeen boss during this stretch in December (1-3).

• St Mirren have won just one of their last 11 away league games, a 3-1 victory at Aberdeen in February.

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin insists captain Ryan Edwards still has a big part to play in the Tangerines' survival bid, despite being dropped in their last game. (Record), external

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Bottom-of-the-table Dundee United seek a first win in nine games when they host St Mirren on Saturday.

Who should Jim Goodwin give the nod to start?

Put yourself in the manager's shoes and pick your starting XI here.

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Tyrone Smith, BBC Sport Scotland

Dundee United showed the character that has been sorely lacking this season by coming from behind to secure a share of the spoils at Livingston last time out.

Undoubtedly it was a priceless point as they battle to get off the bottom of the Premiership – but is it a turning point?

We will get an indication when they welcome St Mirren to Tannadice this weekend.

No one, least of all the United fans, will be getting carried away with what happened at Livingston – but sometimes it can take just one thing to ignite a season or to start to get things moving in the right direction again.

New manager Jim Goodwin will be hoping that ‘thing’ was Aziz Behich’s second-half leveller.

United will certainly be feeling a lot better about themselves when the Paisley Saints head to Tayside.

And a positive result would really lift the spirits going into the international break, one which Goodwin will be hoping to use to really get his ideas over to his players on the training ground.

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin praises the resurgence of goalkeeper Mark Birighitti and explains the club decided not to pursue a move for USA international stopper Bill Hamid. (Record), external

Peter Pawlett is expected to return for Dundee United against St Mirren after six weeks out. (Courier - subscription required), external

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Dundee United winger Ilmari Niskanen has been called up by Finland for their opening Euro 2024 qualifiers away to Denmark and Northern Ireland this month.

The 25-year-old has 13 caps for his country, scoring once.

United midfielder Dylan Levitt misses out on a place in the Wales squad due to an injury he picked up in the loss to Aberdeen.

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Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin says his side's 10-day break from Scottish Premiership action “has been a blessing in disguise”.

Bottom club United salvaged a point on the road against Livingston in Goodwin's second game in charge to halt a run of seven defeats.

But they still face a struggle for survival, sitting three points adrift of Kilmarnock and Ross County, with a home game against St Mirren up next on Saturday.

“Having the 10 days that we’ve had prior to this St Mirren game has been a blessing in disguise,” said Goodwin.

“It’s given me a great opportunity to spend more time on the training pitch with the players. They’ve worked extremely hard.

"It’s difficult sometimes when the players have friends at other clubs who will have had a few days off over the last weekend, but we don’t have that luxury here because of our situation.

“I explained to the players they need to spend as much time together as possible and to work on things that are important to us for a match day.

“All I ever want to see from my team is a team that cares and a team that’s passionate about the jersey that they’re wearing and that’s willing to give their all.”

Paul McNicoll, Dode Fox podcast, external

It’s been a rare weekend of avoiding disappointment for United fans. Of course, we had no game so couldn’t lose, but right now, that’s a positive.

Speaking of positives, since Jim Goodwin has come in there has definitely been an uptick in attitudes and desire from the squad.

In his first game, although the result was the same, a defeat, against Aberdeen the performance was far better than previous weeks. Of that there can be no doubt.

That took us to a midweek match in Livingston and, at the third time of asking, we actually got the game played.

For the first half, I wasn’t so sure that was a good thing. Livingston completely dominated the opening 45 and will have felt aggrieved to go in only one goal up and for their opponents still having a full complement of players on the park, with Sheep (Kieran Freeman) incredibly fortunate to not see red.

It was a torrid time for Sheep as he was up against Nouble, and we all know how much of a handful big Joel can be.

Another positive worth mentioning is that the manager was proactive on the night. He saw that changes were required and Sheep was replaced by Liam Smith before the break. More changes were made at half-time with Sadat Anaku up front being replaced by young Kai Fotheringham.

We also went from a back three/five to a four. These are changes that I’d argue the previous manager would not have made. In fact, a few weeks ago, I think Livi would have run out comfortable winners.

That they didn’t speaks to the changes and also far more desire from the players on the park. United were definitely the better team in the second half and deservedly got level through World Cup star Aziz Behich. After that I felt we could go on and win it, but it wasn’t to be.

Still, it’s been a number of years since United have picked up three points at Livingston so a draw wasn’t the worst result. You could almost say it was another positive.

This weekend sees us play St Mirren at Tannadice and it really is a game we need to win. St Mirren this season are no mugs though, so it won’t be easy. We’re also going to have to do so without Dylan Levitt as the silky Welshman appears to have been ruled out for the season. A bitter blow for the team.

Defeat is not even being contemplated. A draw, meh, I wouldn’t take it beforehand. If that is what happens then we are sure to remain bottom. A win, however, and the positivity will continue to grow.

Dundee United left-back Aziz Behich is supporting relief efforts following the recent earthquake in Turkey. (Courier - subscription required), external

Former Dundee United boss Craig Levein believes the Scottish Premiership is probably the "least competitive league in Europe". (Record), external

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Aziz Behich is set to add to his 57-cap haul after being called up by Australia for a friendly double-header with Ecuador later this month.

Dundee United left-back Behich, 32, played every minute of the Socceroos' four games at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar where they reached the last 16.

Graham Arnold's side face Ecuador in Parramatta on 24 March and in Melbourne four days later.

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Dundee United defender Loick Ayina is ready for "war" as the Tangerines attempt to move off the bottom of the Premiership. (Courier - subscription required), external

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United might not be in the Scottish Cup this weekend, but they were celebrating a stunning result on this day in 2001.

An euphoric Tannadice rejoiced as David Hannah's 61st minute goal shocked holders Rangers in the quarter finals.

Alex Smith's side would go on to face Celtic in the semi finals at Hampden, where the comfortably lost 3-1 despite a late Derek Lilley consolation.

It wasn't the only time The Tangerines would put Rangers to the sword that season, or indeed that month, when goals from Lilley and Steven Thompson shocked Ibrox on the last day of March.

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Dundee United goalkeeper Mark Birighitti says criticism "means nothing to me" and he has the mental toughness to help the club away from the foot of the Premiership table. (The Courier)

Read the rest of Friday's gossip here.

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin is looking forward to spending time on the training pitch, with United's next fixture not coming until 18 March.

Goodwin has taken one point from his two games in charge so far, and the Tannadice club currently sit three points adrift at the bottom of the Scottish Premiership.

“It’s been a bit of a whirlwind last six or seven days for me and for the players, because we have been bombarding them with a hell of a lot of information in terms of what we are looking for from them", Goodwin said, speaking on DUTV.

“They have been very receptive, but this break now has come at the right time in terms of having a good 10 days with them to be able to spend as much time on the training pitch as possible to really bed down those principles we are looking for, and to work on the things we need to do a little bit better.

“There are always elements of that no matter what game you have played in. There were plenty of positives on Wednesday night, but there were things we can scrub up on and make sure we do those things better for the next game.”

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Goalkeeper Jack Newman has followed his Dundee United debut with a first Scotland Under-21 call-up

Newman has been named in Scot Gemmill's squad for friendlies with Sweden and Wales this month.

The 21-year-old made his United bow as a late substitute for Mark Birighitti in the Tayside derby defeat to St Johnstone before enduring a tough first start in the 4-0 loss at Ross County, which proved to be Liam Fox's final game in charge.

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