FOX: WE HAD TO FIND FINN GAME TIME
DUNDEE UNITED boss Liam Fox admitted he couldn’t get in Carljohan Eriksson’s way of getting first-team football at Nordsjaelland.
The Finnish international keeper had been playing second fiddle to Mark Birighitti and wanted to go out and get games with the Danish Superliga leaders.
Fox knows at this stage of his career and for his international ambitions Eriksson needs to be playing and admitted his situation will be looked at again, when his loan is up, come the summer.
The United head coach said: “I had a good chat with Saku (Eriksson). He wants to play games and I understand that.
“He is at an age in his career where he wants to be playing regularly.
“He is part of the Finnish national team and he wants to remain part of that. He has been in and out with us.
“I just felt at this moment in time Birighitti is a wee bit ahead of him.
“This loan came up for Saku and I know it was a good opportunity for him and I have always said I wouldn’t stand in somebody’s way if they want to go and play.
“I know how important it is for people to go and play. Saku is away to Nordsjaelland to compete for the No.1 jersey.
“He is a great boy and a great trainer. Hopefully, he can go out there get a run of games and we can address things in the summer.”
United are actively working on a number of transfer fronts but a new keeper is unlikely.
Fox is more than happy to go with Australian international Birighitti and promote youngster Jack Newman to be his understudy.
Fox believes Newman, who was out on loan at Peterhead, has what it takes to become United’s No.1 over the longer term.
He said: “Having Jack in the building has helped us allow Saku this opportunity. Jack is a young goalie who has good potential.
“It gives Jack a wee promotion just now and he becomes our No.2 to put pressure on Birighitti.”