Arabs keen to complete Townsend deal

DUNDEE UNITED

Dundee United manager Jackie McNamara is keen to make loan defender Conor Townsend’s switch to Tannadice permanent.

The Hull City full back Townsend has impressed since arriving on Tayside as part of the £2.85million deal which took Andrew Robertson to Steve Bruce’s Tigers back in the summer.

Townsend, 21, has recovered from a foot injury and said he would be open to the possibility of staying in Scotland as his contract with the Premier League club expires at the end of the season.

McNamara said: “We will look at his situation again in the summer. We have him for the rest of the season and he has been very good for us.

“It was disappointing when he got injured but in the last few games he has brought balance back to the team.”

United hope attacker Mario Bilate could be back in action sooner than anticipated as he recovers from a hamstring injury. The Dutchman missed last Friday night’s 1-0 Premiership defeat away to Motherwell.