“Everyone is fine and we are looking forward to a normal week’s work and then the big game,” said the manager as his players reported for training.

While the focus during the derby will be on ex-Dens man Lee Mair, who turned down the chance to rejoin Dundee when he moved back to Scotland earlier this month, another former employee of the team over the road is likely to be handed a key role by Ian.

Experienced striker James Grady is likely to be asked to fill in for the missing Robson out wide and, although he is better known as a central striker, Ian feels the 33-year-old is more than capable of doing a job out there.

“We’ve used James in wide positions a few times recently and it has worked. He played there at Gretna last week and came on and did well at Dunfermline on Saturday, so he will be in my thoughts for this weekend.”

Back working with the first team today was available centre-half Scott Paterson. He spent a couple of days training with St Johnstone last week and the Tangerines are now awaiting developments, though indications from Perth today were that Saints would not be pursuing their interest.

Apparently much closer to the exit is striker Collin Samuel.

The Trinidadian has struggled to fulfil his potential since moving from Falkirk for £100,000 in 2003 and is now on the verge of a move to Scunthorpe.

So far as United are aware, Samuel, who has been on trial with the Irons, has agreed a deal and his move now hinges on him being able to get a new work permit to play in England.

There have also been a few tentative enquiries for centre-half Chris Innes, but, with just a week left of the transfer window, no firm offers for his services have been received.

While suspension will deny United a key man this weekend, Dundee will have one of their top performers fit and fresh after serving a two-match ban.

Top scorer Steve Lovell is available after missing the win over Inverness Caley and Saturday’s draw with Hearts. His time in the sin bin has also allowed a problem with shin splints to ease considerably.

And while he was happy with the performance against the Jambos, boss Jim Duffy dropped a heavy hint that Lovell would lead his attack at Tannadice.

“Everyone knows how highly I rate Stevie and it is good to have him back. I was happy with every department of the team against Hearts, the forwards included, but I’ve got options now and a few different thoughts.”

Jim was also pleased to see another of his attackers, Fabian Caballero, get on the scoresheet against Hearts for the first time in 20 months.

“I never regard Fabian as a natural scorer and, rather than 15 to 20 goals a season, we would be looking for him to chip in with eight to 10,” he said.

“However, as a forward, it is obviously going to play on his mind when he has not scored for so long. So this should give him a big lift, though, as I say, I am more concerned with his general play and it was very good.”

Of those players who have been out through injury, Brent Sancho should be ready in time for the derby squad.

He had an injection in his troublesome knee a couple of days ago and should be back training tomorrow.

Skipper Barry Smith took a knock late on against Hearts, but his condition is not causing concern.

Tickets for the derby are on sale from the club shops at both grounds.