Dundee United transfer latest as Ilmari Niskanen could depart amid Finnish fear while centre-back timeline revealed

Jim Goodwin has admitted Ilmari Niskanen could leave Dundee United in a bid to safeguard his place in the Finland squad.

The winger returns from injury and will go into the United squad for tonight’s Viaplay Cup clash at Falkirk. Tangerines boss Goodwin has confirmed Niskanen has concerns that playing in the Championship could impact his international prospects. The 25-year-old has broken back into the Finland team and has already held talks with national coach Mark Kanerva over his situation.

Goodwin said: “Ilmari has one or two little niggles. I’d imagine he would be back in the squad and we will try to get him some minutes. Ilmari is still here and a part of it. At the end of last season he spoke about the impact of playing in the Championship might have on his international hopes. He has had one or two conversations with the Finnish manager. Whether something happens with Ilmari before the window remains to be seen but he’s still very much here and we look forward to getting him involved over the coming games.”

There could be further big-name departures with Australia defender Aziz Behich still in Oz and Charlie Mulgrew out of favour. The United boss added: “Behich is still in Australia dealing with one or two things.

"There are one or two others attracting interest from elsewhere. I’d expect a little bit of movement both ways over the coming days and weeks.”

Goodwin hopes to add another central defender this week and he said: “It’s the final bit of the squad we need to strengthen. We have two players in every position in the squad but at right-sided centre-half we only have young Ollie Denham.

“That is the one area we’re looking at. Hopefully it’ll be done Tuesday or Wednesday and we can get him into the squad for