Wilkie was accompanied on his trip across the pond by club doctor Phyllis Windsor and she has been keeping boss Jim Duffy updated by email. The latest message, this afternoon, brought encouraging news.

“Phyllis said the surgeons were happy with the op and Lee should get out of the hospital tomorrow. The graft appears to have fitted well, so it’s a case of so far so good,” said Jim.

“She also said it’s in the 80s over there and they are 8000 feet up, but it’s a ski resort and out of season so there isn’t much to do, but I suppose you can’t have everything,” he laughed.

Wilkie first ruptured knee ligaments against Dundee United last year and his career was threatened when he suffered a recurrence of the injury on the same knee late last season.

Back here, the manager was continuing with pre-season training, which, despite uncertainty caused by the Hassan Kachloul affair and discussions over wage cuts for players, has been going well. Meanwhile, midfielder Mark Fotheringham should learn over the weekend whether or not he has secured a move to Germany. He has now arrived for a trial with Freiburg.

“I know from bringing players here from overseas how hard it can be for them to impress in a short space of time, but, if it comes down to technical ability, then Mark has a good chance, because, although we often talk down that side of our game, it is not something he is lacking in,” added Jim.