Richard Odada thrown Dundee United lifeline by Jim Goodwin despite OFK Beograd loan transfer

Jim Goodwin has insisted Dundee United are not writing Richard Odada off after sending him on-loan to OFK Beograd.

The Kenyan international arrived in the last window from Philadelphia Union but was playing catch up in terms of pre-season and then struggled to break into a United side that has stormed to third place in the Premiership. Goodwin believes this loan will get Odada much-needed game time and keep him ticking over and he will be able to return to Tannadice to hit the ground running for pre-season in the summer.

The United manager said: “He's completely understanding of it. We're not drawing a line under him. We firmly believe that he's a very talented player. We've spent a lot of time in terms of that recruitment process and bringing him over. We've put a significant investment in the player. I think if you look at him physically, he's everything you would want from a number 6 midfielder. Just maybe going away, playing regularly, coming back fresh and almost like a new signing again will just give him that impetus to maybe go and kick on again.”

Goodwin admitted he has sympathy for Odada and the situation he found himself in at United. The Irishman admitted: ‘Definitely, yes. I think it's really difficult for new players when they come to clubs and if they don't set the heather alight right at the beginning I think it can impact confidence.

“I think with the players that we have had in that particular area of the pitch, coming in late, not getting a pre-season and constantly having to catch-up haven’t helped. In the games that he has played in, unfortunately he hasn't performed at the level that we would expect of him.

“With that, it means you come out of the team and somebody else gets the chance. That's where