Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin faces an uncertain return to the dugout for Saturday's Scottish Premiership fixture at Kilmarnock after falling ill and being hospitalised on Thursday. His absence from the technical area would come at a critical moment in the club's season.
Assistant manager Lee Sharp stepped in to lead first-team training at the club's St Andrews facility on Friday and handled all pre-match media responsibilities in place of the 44-year-old Goodwin. Sharp provided an update on his manager's condition during his Friday press conference.
He is OK, I spoke to him last night and I spoke to him again this morning and he was in good spirits. I don't really know much to be honest, I just asked him how he was and he just said they took him in yesterday and he felt unwell and they are keeping him in for observation.
Sharp acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding Goodwin's availability for the Rugby Park encounter, indicating that decisions would be made on a day-to-day basis. When asked whether he anticipated taking charge of the team, Sharp expressed caution about making any firm commitments.
I have absolutely no idea, it is playing it by ear at the moment just to see. I will catch up with him later on today and see what happens, it is no more than that really, I really don't know.
Where Dundee United stands in the table
Dundee United's campaign has started slowly, accumulating just one point from their opening three Premiership matches. Their opponents on Saturday, Kilmarnock, face an even more difficult situation, having failed to register any points from their two matches so far this season. The fixture presents both sides with an opportunity to improve their early-season records.
What happens next
Sharp indicated that further communication with Goodwin later on Friday would clarify the management situation for the weekend fixture. The club will likely provide an update on Goodwin's condition and availability in the coming hours.
