Dundee United are closing in on Australian international Curtis Good as they aim to further enhance their central defensive options.

Bolstering that area of the team is a priority for the Tangerines during this pre-season and that’s why they signed up stopper Callum Morris on a two-year deal this week.

The former Dunfermline man could soon be joined by Good, who had a successful spell on loan from Newcastle United last season before picking up an injury that ultimately ruled him out of the World Cup.

With Tannadice chairman Stephen Thompson having now returned from a holiday in Australia, where he was also working on club transfer business in tandem with manager Jackie McNamara, it is understood the bid to bring Good back to United will pick up pace this week.

McNamara, meanwhile, revealed that a commanding performance against a former United captain helped persuade him to give Morris his chance in the top flight.

The United gaffer said: “I watched Callum a lot last season and he has the attributes we want.

“I saw him mark Jon Daly when Dunfermline played Rangers and he won his headers and tackles which not many people do against Jon.”

As the manager strives to bring players in there has been speculation that United’s Gary Mackay-Steven may become a transfer target.

Bulgarian champions Ludogrets Razgrad are reportedly interested in the Scotland man, who has just one year left on his Tannadice contract.

Ludogrets have a mult-national squad that includes five Brazilians, as well as players from countries like the Netherlands, Portugal, France and Finland.

So it is clear they cast their net far and wide when looking for talent.

If an offer is forthcoming for Mackay-Steven, it will leave United with the dilemma of whether to take the cash now or risk his leaving for nothing if he decides to move on when he becomes a free agent next summer.

Even with just 12 months of his current deal left, it would still take a six-figure offer before they would consider selling their skilful frontman.

One thing is certain, McNamara would like as much of the club’s wheeling and dealing done as possible before they fly out to Dublin next month for the first leg of their summer training programme.

The games in the Republic of Ireland have been confirmed as Athlone Town on Tuesday, July 8 (evening kick-off) and Bohemians of Dublin on Saturday July 12 (3pm).

United will return to Scotland before flying out to Arnhem in the Netherlands for two confirmed matches against Utrecht on the 20th and Breda on the 22nd, with one other fixture likely to be fitted in on the 18th.

There will also be one friendly at Tannadice against yet-to-be-confirmed continental opposition, probably on Saturday July 26.