Dundee United could be without manager Jim Goodwin for Saturday's Scottish Premiership fixture against Kilmarnock after the 44-year-old was admitted to hospital following a sudden illness.
Goodwin fell unwell on Thursday and was taken in for observation, leaving assistant Lee Sharp to step in and oversee preparations for the trip to Rugby Park. Sharp led first-team training at United's St Andrews training base on Friday and also fronted the pre-match media conference in place of his manager.
Speaking to reporters, Sharp offered reassurance about Goodwin's condition, revealing he had been in contact with him twice since he was admitted. "He is OK, I spoke to him last night and I spoke to him again this morning and he was in good spirits," Sharp said.
While keen to stress that Goodwin appeared to be doing well, Sharp admitted he did not have full details on the exact nature of the issue. "I don't really know much to be honest, I just asked him how he was and he just said they took him in yesterday and he felt unwell and they are keeping him in for observation," he explained.
With the situation still unfolding on Friday, Sharp was unable to confirm whether he would be the one leading the team from the touchline at Rugby Park. Asked directly about the possibility of taking charge for the match, he said: "I have absolutely no idea, it is playing it by ear at the moment just to see."
He added that further conversations with Goodwin were expected before a final decision could be made. "I will catch up with him later on today and see what happens, it is no more than that really, I really don't know," Sharp said.
The uncertainty around the dugout comes at a difficult time for Dundee United, who have made a sluggish start to the new Premiership campaign. Goodwin's side have collected just a single point from their opening three league matches, leaving them in need of a much-needed boost in form and results.
Kilmarnock, however, find themselves in an even more precarious position heading into the weekend fixture. Killie have failed to pick up a single point from their first two matches of the season, meaning both sides will be desperate to get their campaigns moving in the right direction when they meet at Rugby Park.
The match takes on added significance given the health concerns surrounding Goodwin, with the Tangerines hoping for positive news on their manager's condition in the build-up to kick-off. Sharp's calm demeanor in front of the media suggested there was no immediate cause for alarm, though the club will likely provide further updates on Goodwin's status as Saturday approaches.
For now, attention turns to whether Sharp will be tasked with leading the team into what shapes up as a crucial early-season encounter, as Dundee United look to arrest their winless start against a Kilmarnock side equally desperate for their first points of the term.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport Football.