“They are chasing that top-six place and their crowd are really behind them.

“I believe we will have quite a good away support, with many opting to stay overnight.

“Our away support is usually very vocal anyway, so I’m expecting a really good atmosphere.

“And that’s what the players want, too. Every player loves to play in games where the crowd is vocal and they will thrive on that.”

Midfielder Iain Anderson returns to the Dark Blues squad for the trip north, and there could be as many as three or four changes in the starting line-up.

The injured Lee Wilkie and suspended Barry Smith are definite non-starters, and there are fitness doubts over Garry Brady and Neil Barrett.

“Garry aggravated his shoulder injury against Dunfermline and is extremely doubtful, while Neil took another knock on the same problem area of his leg in training, but should be okay.

“We’ll have a look at them today, but it may well be tomorrow before we decide on them,” continued the manager.

“It’s not an ideal situation, but, on the plus side, Tam McManus and Steve Lovell are OK for the game.”

Brent Sancho and Bobby Mann will continue as the central defensive partnership.

“The defence have been doing well — the goals we’ve lost to Aberdeen, Dunfermline and Livingston were all very good ones — and now, in having to change it about, we face a big test,” said Jim.

“The partnership between Lee and Bobby gave us a more solid look at the back than we’d had, but, of course, Bobby and Brent played together in the earlier part of the season, and did well then.”

Dundee’s Dutch trialist Eric van Eikeren has returned to Holland where he is due to turn out for his club ASV Dronten this weekend.