Dundee’s chances of being reinstated to the top flight may become clearer tomorrow when the SFA sit to hear Livingston’s appeal against the £15,000 fine handed out to them by the SPL for signing Kachloul as an amateur and then paying him.

The exact grounds for Livi’s appeal have not yet been made clear, but if the SFA’s appeals sub-committee were to rule they had been wronged, things would look bleak for the Dens men.

If, however, a decision goes against the West Lothian club, at the very least the way would seem clear for Dundee to mount a strong case for the points deduction that has historically been the punishment for such breaches of the rules.

Today, chief executive Peter Marr admitted much could depend on tomorrow’s events at Hampden.

“I think what happens with the Livingston appeal could have a bearing, but right now all I can tell you is that we have had confirmation their appeal is being heard by the SFA tomorrow and been told our appeal should be next week,” he said.

Meanwhile, former Dens defender Brent Sancho is set to sign for Coca-Cola Championship side Brighton.

Relegation from the SPL meant Dundee were not in a position to offer the Trinidad international a new deal.

The 28-year-old impressed as a trialist against Lewes at the weekend and has talks planned with Seagulls boss Mark McGhee later this week.

With Kilmarnock and Livingston showing an interest, Sancho had the chance to remain north of the border, but fancies testing himself in England.

“I played in a trial game at the weekend and did OK, so, hopefully, something will happen. Brighton are a good club going places and this is a lovely part of the world, so I’m keen to stay here,” he said.

“The manager has seen me in training as well now and we’re going to talk things over.

“I loved my time in Scotland, but I’ve always wanted the chance to play in England.

“The Championship is a great league with some really well-known clubs, so it’s a chance to play in big games every week.”

Boss Jim Duffy was happy with the performance of his players in yesterday’s closed door friendly against Blackburn reserves.

The game finished 2-2 with new signing Simon Lynch among the goals. He is set to be on duty again against Raith Rovers at Stark’s Park tomorrow night.

The length of his deal suggests his manager sees him as a potential first- team regular, though the arrival over the last 11 months of Paul Ritchie and Lee Mair, plus Garry Kenneth’s rapid rise to the top team, means many fans now regard him as a bit part player.

Gordon, however, feels McCracken (23) has the ability to be more than that, and today threw down the gauntlet to a player who has never quite fulfilled the potential he showed as a teenager.

“I’m delighted David’s future is settled now and he can concentrate on playing here. He is moving his family up from Glasgow to live in Dundee and that should help him as well. Although there is good competition for places in his position, he has all the attributes to do well,” said Gordon today.

“For one reason or another, largely through injuries, he did not have the best of seasons last year and, by his own admission, he has been guilty of making one or two mistakes. However, he is a good player who can get better and it is up to him to rise to the challenge.

“I’m certainly glad he is still here and, when I look what it would have cost us to get a player of the same ability if he’d left, it’s a good signing for us.”

Tonight, McCracken will be on duty with the rest of the first team squad for a Forfarshire Cup final at Forfar, and the manager is looking for the good progress made during the pre-season to continue.

“Things have been going well and we obviously want that to continue. Forfar will be up for the game, but it is up to the boys to be ready for that and do the job.”

Stuart Duff misses out with the knee problem that will be scanned tomorrow, though he is still expected to be fit for the start of the season. The midfielder could even feature in the City of Discovery Cup games over the weekend.

After the decision not to offer trialist Craig Samson a contract, the hunt for a goalkeeper to push Derek Stillie for the first-team jersey is continuing, though there were no fresh developments to report on that front today.

If that happens, the Tangerines are confident that the people who turned down their request for a new work permit last month will have a re-think and allow the player to continue his career in Scotland.

Meanwhile, it could be next week before Saints make a decision on whether to offer contracts to trialists Scott Paterson and John Henry. Both have been playing and training with the Perth club in an effort to win deals, but Saints’ player-boss Owen Coyle isn’t rushing into making decisions.

And Owen added Saints are “actively seeking” another goalkeeper.

Presently, they only have one experienced keeper, Kevin Cuthbert, on their books.