Goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima’s Dundee United debut has been furthered delayed — by a language test.

The Japanese international speaks fluent English.

But red tape surrounding his work permit application means he cannot work in Britain until he has documented proof of that.

He will now have to sit an exam back in Japan, where he has been since the birth of his first child, before starting work with the Tangerines.

And the holiday period in his homeland means arranging one is proving difficult.

“He has a language test to go through and it is quite difficult to do the test now,” said United boss Mixu Paatelainen.

“In Japan it is a holiday starting towards Christmas but we are finding ways of doing it.”

Iit now looks like the Boxing Day clash with Motherwell will be his first chance to play.