Goal Drought Expected At Tannadice

Many parts of the UK might still be flooded, but if Dundee United manager Craig Levein doesn`t sign a new striker soon - Tannadice could be experiencing a goal drought this season.

"I need a new striker. Frank seems to have a few, I'll maybe ask him for one,' Craig Levein joked after the exhibition match against Barcelona last week.

However, all joking aside, its getting to the stage where Levein might have to start begging some of his football contacts to find him someone with an eye for goal.

Levein headed down south on Tuesday night to watch an unnamed striker, why would any English-based attacker want to move up to an under-rated/under-financed Scottish Premier league?

Last month, United missed out on striker Chris Porter, when the £700,000 rated Oldham player signed for SPL rivals Motherwell, because of a clause in his contract allowing his to sign for a club from outside England, without any money exchanging hands.

23-year-old Porter joins a long list of attackers who have turned down a move to Tannadice during the summer, a list which includes Jason Scotland, David Weatherston, Craig Dargo and Leicester City`s Mark De Vries.

With Collin Samuel quitting Tannadice at the end of last season to join MLS side Toronto and Jon Daly out injured for another couple of months - only Noel Hunt and youngster David Goodwillie make up United`s attacking threat.

Noel Hunt was the clubs top scorer until December last season, when he injured his ankle landing awkwardly after scoring the winning goal in a 3-2 victory over Motherwell at Fir Park.

After his comeback, he struggled to regain the same form and only found the net twice in 13 matches - against Hearts in the 4-0 win at Tynecastle and also in the 4-2 win over Aberdeen at Pittodrie.

A groin strain has hampered his build-up to the new season, but he still remains Craig Levein`s 1st choice upfront.

Youngster David Goodwillie apparently has an attitude problem - he thinks he`s better than he is - which is why Levein wants the 18-year-old to get a reality check on loan to a lower league side for a couple of week.

However, with attacking options so limited, its unlikely Levein would loan Goodwillie out until he could sign at least 1 more striker as cover.

Meanwhile, Jon Daly, who tore his cruciate ligament near the end of last season, hasn`t even returned to training yet and the only thing he can do is watch the rest of the squad prepare for the new season, wishing he was training with them.

"Nobody usually enjoys pre-season, but this year I have to admit I am jealous of the boys," admitted Daly to the Courier.

"I am doing a little bit of work in the gym with the physio so that is good progress but I would much rather be out there going through my paces with the rest of them."

"Being injured is very frustrating but when you choose to be a professional sportsman you know it`s possible."

"I had just started scoring goals and was looking to end the season on a high but it wasn`t to be."

"Now all I am looking towards is getting fit again and I am aiming to be back in training at the end of August."