Micky Mellon has confirmed Dundee United will hold talks with Reading to see if a deal can be done to bring Marc McNulty back to Tannadice next season.
The Scotland cap has been on loan and Mellon would be keen to try and extend that agreement.
McNulty has been well out of the picture at Reading but it all depends if a deal can be done or if the English Championship side want to try and recoup some of their money back.
Mellon said: “That will be up to us, Reading and Marc to speak about, which we will probably do in the next week or two.
“I think if we sit down and review the whole season. We haven’t really done that.
“We’ve tentatively spoken about stuff but haven’t really looked at everything overall.
“We’ll bring all our ideas to the table and see where we believe all of us are and make decisions going forward about how we want to take it forward.”
McNulty has netted just five goals but the United boss accepts that is down to the fact they have played him out of position.
“I think he has done well,” Mellon claimed.
“We spoke about it on Monday morning. We all know he’s a No. 9 and he’s done a job for us wide of a front three.
“He’s had a right good go at that but I think his best position is probably as a nine.
“Goal-scoring is where his instincts are.
“Considering he’s not played where I believe is his best position, he’s made a big contribution to us, on and off the pitch.
“He’s a good character with great personality and he’s a very talented footballer.”
Mellon confirmed that the strengthening for next season is already well under way. He will now use their two remaining games against Motherwell and St Mirren to give some of his squad games to see if they will be part of his long-term plans.
He explained: “I want to find out about boys. Obviously, we want to win games, that goes without saying but there is a bigger picture I need to look at.
“I need to learn what players are going to take us forward? Are they going to play? You need to look at what you have in the building before you look at your recruitment.
“Some will get the opportunity to go and do that over the next couple of games.”
Leicester City are leading the English Premier League interest in teenage defender Kerr Smith. Mellon admitted the 16-year-old will be involved in the last two games.
Mellon insisted: “He’s a talented boy. We enjoy having him here and watching him progress.
“I’m not surprised there would be interest in a 16-year-old that’s as good as him.
“If the decision comes his or the club’s way then playing or not is a factor that will come into consideration for him, his family and the club.
“Nobody has come to myself and given me a decision to make.
“If there’s no interest in a 16-year-old boy playing in the Scottish Premiership you’re kind of wondering, 'why not?'”
