Encouragement For Out-Of-Contract Players

Eight of the Dundee United first team squad are out of contract in the summer, but its hoped that news of manager Craig Levein extending his contract will encourage the players to also commit their futures to the club.

This week there was a big boost for Dundee United as Craig Levein agreed an extension to his current deal that will keep him at Tannadice until May 2012.

Club captain and lifelong supporter Lee Wilkie is sure it will make a difference to those players considering their futures with Dundee United.

"It`s a massive boost for Dundee United that the manager has signed this new deal," admitted Wilkie to the Dundee Courier.

"If you`re a player and you weren`t sure if you`d stay or go, it`s got to be a massive turning point - him staying on has got to sway you. It could be a deciding factor."

"To get him and the staff tied up is great for the club and is bound to impact positively on what happens as far as the out-of-contract players are concerned."

"His man management is really good, as is his tactical awareness - from a personal standpoint, he`s definitely made me a better player."

Players out of contact include Darren Dods, Sean Dillon, Jon Daly, Lukasz Zaluska (who has been linked with a move to Celtic) and on-loan Cardiff City midfirelder Willo Flood.

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