That has meant him missing training so far this week, but the United gaffer is confident Dodds will be available for selection at East End Park.

“Billy’s groin injury has kept him sidelined, but he’s been in with the physios and I would expect to see him back on the training ground by at least Thursday,” said Ian.

“Should that be the case, I don’t see any reason why he won’t be considered for Saturday.”

There was less good news for defender Scott Paterson, who has been dealt another blow. The former Partick Thistle man spent a large chunk of last season on the treatment table due to injury and was hoping to make a bigger impact this term.

However, Paterson, who featured for the final 10 minutes against Den Haag, has aggravated a hamstring injury and now looks a serious doubt for this weekend’s trip to Fife.

“Scott’s hamstring injury has flared up and I think he may be sent for a scan to get to the root of the problem,” added Ian.

Meanwhile, with the new season drawing ever closer, It now looks extremely unlikely that Paul Ritchie will be joining the Tangerines.

The former Manchester City, Rangers and Hearts defender was one of several players McCall had considered as he tries to bolster his rearguard.

However, Ritchie has accepted the offer of an extended trial period at Sheffield United, whose manager Neil Warnock is weighing up a permanent deal.

McCall is also keen to add another goalkeeper to his staff, but denied there had been any bid to land Rangers’ Allan McGregor.

“We have made no move for him,” said Ian.

The Tangerines will include Steven Bell and Aaron Conway in a mainly youthful side that heads for Laing Park tonight to tackle Carnoustie Panmure (KO 7 pm).

Dunfermline’s Craig Brewster looks set to face his old side after making a quicker-than-expected recovery following knee surgery in the summer. The Pars striker failed to play in any of the Fife outfit’s four-game tour of Holland, but boss Davie Hay hasn’t ruled him out of featuring at some point against the Tangerines.