The Tannadice skipper has only played one game this season.

Jim Goodwin has admitted captain Ross Graham will need to show more patience in his fight to get back in his Dundee United side.

United have gone to a back four this season and Bert Esselink and Michael Forbes have nailed down the two central defensive positions.

Goodwin has praised the resurgence of Esselink..

Graham has made just one appearance, in the Premier Sports Cup against Montrose, with competition stiff.

Moldova international Iurie Iovu is another who is in a similar boat to Graham, fighting to get back in.

Goodwin said: “I think Ross is understanding of the situation. Of course, he's disappointed not to be playing because he’s at an age now where he would like to be playing week in, week out.

“He was an important player for us last season, there's no getting away from that.

“But the recruitment that we've done has created real competition for places and I don't think too many people out there could argue with the impact that Michael Forbes has had in the left centre-back berth.

“Ross is going to have to be patient.

“But his attitude in training has been exemplary.”

Goodwin has praised Graham for his attitude.

He claimed: “He's a great character around the place and is very well liked within the dressing room.

“He's not the type of personality to throw his toys out of the prom because things aren't going his own way.

“He's really knuckled down, is working hard and he'll wait for that opportunity to come.

“When it does, there's no doubt that he'll go and grab it with both hands.

“There's nobody in the dressing room that has got a connection to Dundee United like Ross has, in terms of the length of time he's been at the club, coming through the academy.

“He's one of the home-grown players and has obviously had the armband.

“He's still our club captain and has great leadership qualities around the place. It's in Ross' best interests that Dundee United are successful, whether he's in the team or out of the team.”

United made it back-to-back wins against St Mirren and Hibs.

They make the short trip to St Johnstone this weekend.

Goodwin will again be without Will Ferry and Medhi Merghem.

He explained: “Will Ferry looks like he might be out for a little bit longer (than the weekend). He's still working with the medical team and, rather than putting a time on it, we'll just assess that as we go week-to-week.

“It's not a serious injury. But there have been a couple of little issues over the pre-season and into the start of the campaign and Will – in fairness to him – has been trying to play through them.

“But I think it caught up with him in Portugal. We just want to be careful with him.

“We don't want to risk anything longer term. So, we'll give him all the time he needs with the physio and when he's back, then hopefully he'll be back longer term.

“Medhi could be another couple of weeks. This weekend will come too soon for him, but there's the potential for him to be in and around the group in the build up to the Aberdeen game.

“But I think the squad is in good shape.”