“Lee had doubts about playing on the plastic pitch, but he came through the game unscathed and, for his first game back, played very well. That has to be a big boost for us,” said Jim today.

“I would also say that, unlike the defeat at Kilmarnock earlier in the week, our general play was not bad and we were maybe a bit unlucky not to score more than one.

“The bottom line, though, is that defensively we are still not doing anything like as well as we should. I’m not just talking individually, but as a unit and we know we have to improve.”

An improvement will have to come quickly if Dundee are to retain any interest in this season’s Scottish Cup beyond Saturday’s visit to in-form Hibs.

“They are playing well and are very dangerous. We know we have to go there and be up for it, or we will have a very difficult time.”

Weekend absentees Steve Lovell, Brent Sancho and Garry Brady all remain doubtful for the tie, though they are not being ruled out.

With the transfer window now open, Jim is working towards bringing in a couple of players, though, for the moment, no deals are imminent.

Equally, while there has been interest in Jonay Hernandez and Brent Sancho as they move into the last six months of their contracts, there have still to be firm bids for either.

While Hernandez was only on the bench at Dunfermline, the manager stressed that had more to do with his form than the likelihood of him moving on soon.

“He has not been playing as well as he should be and that is why he was not in the starting line-up. If someone came in with a reasonable offer for him he could be on his way, but no one has and, until that happens, he will remain here and be part of the plans.”