Jim Goodwin names 5 Dundee Utd players who should join Louis Moult in Championship POTY contention

Jim Goodwin has praised Louis Moult for being shortlisted but insisted several others of his Premiership-bound Dundee United squad should also have been in the frame.

Top scorer Moult, who has 19 goals, was named on the short list for PFA Scotland’s Championship player of the year, along with Partick Thistle’s Brian Graham, Ruari Paton of Queen’s Park and Raith Rovers striker Lewis Vaughan. Goodwin claimed: “It's been a great season for Louis after a really difficult few years prior to coming here.

“We've managed him a little differently to one or two others in the group but, credit to him, I'd say he's been available through 95 per cent of the season and his goal return is excellent. I'd say his all-round game is what gets him the nomination, with how influential he's been for the team. He's been a really key player in terms of leading the line. I think he's maybe fallen back in love with the game from playing regularly and being somewhere that he is appreciated. He knows we all believe in him and know what a good player he is for the team.

“His confidence has gone through the roof with the season he's had. Being able to get the club back into the Premiership – everyone's objective – was the icing on the cake for him.”

Goodwin reckons several of his soon-to-be Championship-winning, including the likes of Craig Sibbald, Kevin Holt and Glenn Middleton could have all been contenders. Goodwin stated: “I can imagine a number of our players would have been in the frame. Sibbs, for me, has been Mr Consistent all season. I can't think of a bad game he has had.

“Kevin Holt has had an outstanding season and has been one of the best centre-halves in the league; the number of clean sheets and big saves by Jack Walton; Glenn Middleton's assists and Kai Fotheringham's goals. They've got to spread it out, and there are other players at different teams who have enjoyed terrific seasons – and you can only pick so many, but I imagine there were quite a few Dundee United players in the frame.”

United are without Ross Docherty, Alex Greive and Holt for the Airdrie trip, although the latter could be back for the trophy-presentation game against Partick Thistle.