The Dark Blues were able to accommodate their neighbours, but only to the tune of another couple of hundred tickets and the away allocation is likely to be completely gone in the next 24 hours or so.

Sales at the club shop up the road at Dens haven’t been quite as swift, but already over half the 4000 briefs available to home fans, over 3000 of their 7200 seats are taken up by season ticket holders, have gone.

Dundee expect to have filled the south enclosure by the middle of the week and, judging by the speed of sales compared to previous derbies, officials believe there is a good chance the sold out signs will be going up before the weekend.

Having repeatedly said how important a part supporters have to play in the battle to beat the drop, United interim boss Gordon Chisholm was delighted at news of his club’s sales.

“The fans have been with us all along and I thought that on Saturday again they turned out in big numbers and really got behind us,” he said. “Going into such a massive derby as this one, it is good to know that we will have as many fans as possible coming with us.

“Given that we have not won one for a while, it would be great to win it for the fans. But, being honest about it, this is such an important game for both teams because of our league positions, that all we are thinking about is trying to get the points we need for safety.”

Dens boss Jim Duffy admitted he would be surprised if there was not a full house for what is probably the most important derby since the 1980 League Cup final.

“If this game does not get the adrenalin rushing and nerves jingling, then nothing will. Both ourselves and United would prefer to be going into it in a more relaxed position. But it is games like this that make football so exciting, and I am sure there will be a lot of tension round the city for the whole of this week,” he said.

On the playing side, both camps have players who will have to prove their fitness over the next few days, with home defender Brent Sancho, in particular, looking a major doubt.

He came off at half-time in the defeat at Kilmarnock with a twisted ankle and may struggle to recover in time. His injury is the latest to an important player and Jim is hoping for a change of luck.

“Brent got hurt blocking the ball very early on and did it again before half-time. It’s the kind of thing that usually takes more than just a few days, but we’ll see how he progresses.

“It was a blow to us and that’s been a few games in succession we’ve lost players in key positions. First there was Lee Wilkie (against Dunfermline), then Stevie Lovell against Inverness and now Brent. It’s been a run of bad luck for us and, hopefully, it will change soon.”

At United, a scan on Derek McInnes’ injured knee has shown there is no need for an operation. United are hopeful their skipper will be able to return to training in the next few days.

Collin Samuel could be a doubt after hurting a shoulder in Saturday’s 1-1 draw. “I think it should be one of those things that only bother him for a day or two, but he landed badly and has a very sore shoulder right now,” added Gordon Chisholm.

Back at Dens, a young reserve side was facing Rangers on league duty this afternoon.