Former Portsmouth hit man Lovell is Paterson’s first choice to provide that. He’s currently out with a knee injury and unlikely to play when the teams clash in the third round of the cup on Saturday, but Aberdeen would prefer to get him before then to rule out any chance of him being cup-tied.

One big stumbling block could be the price Dundee would demand. Their financial situation remains precarious, but after the sale of Gavin Rae to Rangers last week, there is no immediate need to sell anyone on the cheap.

Although his time at Dens has been interrupted by injury, Lovell still finished top scorer last season with 15 goals and his valuation runs well into six figures.

With money also tight at Pittodrie, whether or not the Dons could come up with that kind of money is questionable.

Today, Dens boss Jim Duffy revealed there have been no offers for Lovell and, therefore, would not comment on what he regarded as speculation. However, with only three experienced strikers on his books, Nacho Novo and Steven Milne as well as Lovell, it’s safe to assume he’d resist an attempt to sell any of them.

Meanwhile, Aberdeen have announced that Michael Bird, Eric Deloumeaux, Laurent D’Jaffo, Duncan Jones, Darren Mackie, Murray McCulloch, Jamie McQuilken and Scott Michie could all be headed for the Pittodrie exit.

Of greater concern to Jim Duffy today was getting a team on the park for tomorrow night’s re-arranged clash with Hearts at Dens. “I do not want to go into names, but we have several players struggling and I do not expect them all to make it. With such a small squad that gives us a big problem,” he said.

Back in the running for places are Neil Jablonski and Steven Robb after their return last week from loan spells at Brechin and Raith Rovers respectively.

“At least, having been on loan, their match fitness is not too bad and, if nothing else, they increase the numbers available to me,” added the manager.

Lovell, Tom Hutchinson and long-term absentee Milne are still not fit enough to be considered for tomorrow.

And centre-half Chris Innes also had to make an early exit when he suffered a recurrence of the groin problems that has dogged him for the last few weeks.

“I’d say Jim has no chance for Saturday and that is a blow because he has been such an influential player for us this season,” said boss Ian McCall.

“I don’t think people realise what a key player he is until he goes off. On Saturday, we missed him after he got the injury.”

Ian felt Innes’ departure was also a big blow and described the 3-1 defeat as, “Just one of those days when everything that could go wrong did.

“We were one up and cruising.

“But the injuries affected us and we had no luck when Jim’s header came back off the inside of the post just before half-time.

“If that one had gone in, it would have been game over.”

United have agreed to provide their supporters federation with subsidised bus travel to Dunfermline on Saturday.

A similar exercise was undertaken last season to encourage a greater support at crucial away fixtures and proved highly successful.

The scheme is available only to clubs affiliated to the federation.

All bookings and inquiries must be directed to them and not Dundee United.

Any member club wishing to take advantage of the subsidy should contact federation chairman Angus Falconer by phoning 07931 888732.

The manager hopes as many clubs as possible take up the offer.

“The backing of the fans is hugely important to the team and could be a crucial factor in this game,” he added.

“A large vociferous travelling support will go a long way to help offset the fact that we are away from home.

“I think the fans can sense that we’re all in this together now and I hope as many Arabs as possible make the trip to Dunfermline next week.”

Tonight’s U/21 game against Motherwell has been switched from Station Park, Forfar, to Tannadice.