Jim Goodwin's place in the Dundee United dugout this Saturday is very much up in the air after the manager was admitted to hospital on Thursday evening having fallen unwell. The 44-year-old was still being kept in for observation on Friday morning, leaving his assistant Lee Sharp to step in and run first-team training at the club's St Andrews base — as well as fronting the pre-match press duties that would ordinarily fall to his boss.

Sharp was refreshingly candid when speaking to reporters, giving little away simply because there was little to give. "He is OK, I spoke to him last night and I spoke to him again this morning and he was in good spirits," the assistant said. "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."

Whether Sharp makes the short journey over to Rugby Park as the man in charge remains genuinely uncertain. Asked directly if he expected to be leading the team out at Kilmarnock, he said: "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."

The timing is an obvious concern for a Dundee United side still finding their feet in the Scottish Premiership this term. The Tangerines have collected just one point from their opening three matches, and travel to face a Kilmarnock side who, for all their own early-season struggles, know Rugby Park inside out. Killie are themselves without a point after two games, so there is something meaningful to play for here beyond the table positions alone — both clubs will be desperate to open their accounts properly.

United supporters will understandably be hoping for better news from Goodwin as the day progresses, and the early signs — that he is in good spirits and talking to his staff — are at least mildly reassuring. Hospital stays for observation can often amount to precautionary measures, and the club has not suggested the situation is anything more serious than that.

Sharp, for his part, looked composed enough in front of the cameras, and is clearly comfortable in the role he may be asked to perform. He has the trust of the squad and the staff, and if Saturday at Rugby Park does fall to him, United fans travelling down from Dundee will at least know the dugout is in capable hands.

There will be updates expected as the afternoon develops, but for now, Goodwin's involvement on Saturday afternoon remains genuinely unresolved. The football world is not short of dramas at the best of times — this one, mercifully, seems to carry a note of cautious optimism attached to it.

What this means for Dundee United

  • Current standing: One point from three Scottish Premiership matches this season.
  • The opposition: Kilmarnock at Rugby Park, who are also yet to win in the league this term.
  • In charge of training: Assistant manager Lee Sharp took Friday's session and handled media duties.

Frequently asked

Why is Jim Goodwin not managing Dundee United this weekend?
Jim Goodwin was admitted to hospital on Thursday after feeling unwell and was still being kept in for observation on Friday. Whether he will be fit enough to be in the dugout for Saturday's match at Kilmarnock has not yet been confirmed.
Who will take charge of Dundee United if Goodwin can't manage?
Assistant manager Lee Sharp has stepped up to run training and speak to the press. He said he is waiting to hear more from Goodwin and is prepared to take charge of the side at Rugby Park if needed.
When do Dundee United play Kilmarnock?
Dundee United's Scottish Premiership match against Kilmarnock is scheduled for Saturday at Rugby Park. Kick-off time had not been specified in the available reports.