Latvian defender Pavels Mihadjuks knows he must impress Dundee United's managerial team in a bid to extend his stay. The 29-year-old international joined the high-flying Terrors on a deal until the end of the SPL season in February.

He was immediately thrust into Peter Houston's side but was unable to produce his true form as he was filling in out of position.

"Dundee United is a great club with a good history," he told skysports.com. "I like very much the work and training at the club.

"I'm not bitter about wasting my football time here not playing much as I am working with a team which is of a very high level.

"The team and the manager have received me very well and if things had clicked better for me from the start, I would have no doubt been in the first-team frame.

"What I can say for next season is I want to play football. This is a great team and I want to prove myself given the opportunity."

Mihadjuks has no qualms with being made to wait for another chance.

"I would have enjoyed my debut more in my best position as a centre-half but having been put to start at right-back is not a problem.

"However, I wish I was better prepared for this league after the end of the Latvian season - it was a whole three months before my first game for United.

"A good start always gives extra confidence. But the bottom line is that I am an experienced professional and I need to be strong, prepared and ready for every game and opportunity.

"There isn't a player who wouldn't like to have more opportunities and chances - I'm no different. My job now is to be ready to the best of my ability, especially as the team is on an impressive run at the moment."