However, Anderson is still some way off a return to action and boss Jim Duffy insists he won’t take any risks with his 27-year-old playmaker.

“Iain has had a frustrating time of it,” said Jim. “But we will have to be cautious in terms of his return to match action. He can now take part in competitive training, but we will take things stage by stage from there.”

Brent Sancho was able to do some light work with coach Ray Farningham today, but it’s still touch and go whether the Trinidadian defender will be fit in time for Saturday’s derby against United.

Meanwhile, Farningham hailed the recent three-week training camp in Cyprus with a group of Dundee youth players as a great success. Thanks to funding from the Leonardo da Vinci Trust, Farningham and fellow-coach Steve Campbell took a squad of 20 players to a state-of-the-art facility 20 miles outside Limassol.

The Dark Blues played two games, beating Famagusta 7-2 and losing 4-3 to Apollon Limassol, but, more importantly, the players were able to work in an ideal environment.

“The trip was excellent in terms of conditions and facilities. Everything was in place for us and the boys really enjoyed it,” said Ray. “I’ve got to say the squad’s attitude was first class and it will act as a great learning curve for them. The whole trip was really worthwhile.”

While away, Farningham met up with former Dark Blue Temuri Ketsbaia, and the Georgian, who is now on the coaching staff at Famagusta, passed on his best wishes to everyone at Dens.

However, McCall is confident Mair will be able to cope with any hot reception.

“I’ve spoken to Lee about Saturday’s game and he knows he’s bound to get stick,” said Ian.

“But, although the Dundee derbies are always very intense, we don’t have the same level of stupidity here as in some other cities.

“Besides, Lee is not the first to have played for both clubs — we already have James Grady and Billy Dodds who are in the same boat and there have been many others in the past.

“Both myself and Gordon Chisholm were at Dundee as players, so the supporters have seen it all before.”

One deal which won’t be done is the transfer of Ross Forsyth to QOS, and Saints team boss John Connolly has expressed his anger at his former club.

He explained, “The Forsyth deal is dead. They wanted him down there for a look at him, so he went to train with them. Then they told us they couldn’t afford him. So why did they take him down there in the first place?”

John fielded a strong side against Livingston and they did likewise.

Meanwhile, although David Cowan has recovered from injury and is back in training, Robert Sloan and David Hannah are doubtful for Saturday’s trip to Clyde.

Sloan is still off with a virus and Hannah is nursing several knocks.