He is delighted to be returning to his old stomping ground and will kick-off the four-team tournament when The Owls face Wolves in the opening game at Tannadice at 1 pm tomorrow.

Then he’ll sit back and watch the weekend’s main event, the 4 pm derby showdown between his beloved United and old rivals Dundee. The outcome of the games will decide which half of Dundee’s great divide his team come up against on Sunday at Dens Park.

Before a ball is kicked, though, he’ll be shaking hands with a few familiar faces as he walks back into Tannadice.

“It will be nice for me to meet up with a few old friends. Obviously, I’ve been back a few times since I left, but to bring a team to play at Tannadice will be special,” said Paul, who brought Wednesday north earlier this week.

“More importantly, these games are a big part of our build-up to the new season and the Wolves game, in particular, will be very useful.

“We are newly-promoted to the Championship and at first I was not keen to be playing a team we’ll meet at least twice next season. However, having thought about it, I am happy to be up against one of the big guns in our league because it will give us a good indication of what to expect.

“On Sunday, it will be nice if we are playing United, but I won’t mind if it’s Dundee instead because I’ve special memories of playing them at Dens,” added the man who won the league and a League Cup against the Dark Blues on their own pitch.

He admitted the knowledge gained from Wolves, plus the match-practice from facing United or Dundee 24 hours later, would be more important than results.

“In terms of preparation for the new season, we are a week or two behind the Scottish teams because our league starts later. We won the play-off final, so our season ran into June, and I’ve not pushed the boys too hard so far because it has been a short break — I don’t want burn out halfway through next season.

“We are also going into this weekend without four players who have had operations and with others who have just started training because they’ve had injuries or I’ve just signed them, so I am not expecting too much by way of results.”

Familiar faces in the Wednesday team will include ex-Hibs midfielder Craig Rocastle, former Dunfermline defender Lee Bullen and new signing Burton O’Brien, who has just moved south from Livingston.

Other than the names on that list, it will be a case of all hands to the pumps in both camps.

For United, the other most notable absentee is Jason Scotland, who returned home to Trinidad this morning after the latest setback in the bid to get him a new work permit.

He had been back in this country on a short-term visa, but it has now expired and, with no word coming from the Home Office concerning a fresh appeal over his status, he has had to leave Britain. The fight to get him a permit will continue.

“This is a blow for the boy and he had a tear in his eye when he had to leave, but we’ve been working hard to keep him and that is going to continue,” said team boss Gordon Chisholm today. “What this means is there is no way he will be available for the start of the season. Even if he got a permit in time, mentally this has taken so much out of him there is no way he could be ready.”

Gordon confirmed keepers Derek Stillie and trialist Rami Shaaban will each get a game, though who plays Saturday and who plays Sunday is to be decided.

Home fans will get their first look at big summer buy Lee Miller in tomorrow’s derby against Dundee, and there will also be a chance to see emerging talent.

“Basically, everyone is going to report and my plan is that every player will be involved at some stage over the two days. It will be a good test for the boys and some of the younger ones will get a run,” added Gordon.

With a smaller squad to pick from, at Dundee Jim Duffy admitted his resources would be stretched. “I’ve basically got 17 players and that includes young keeper Scott Murray, so two-thirds of the boys will play both games. Physically, that will ask a lot of them, but I’m confident they can cope,” he said. “It will also be a challenge when it comes to ability because there is good quality in the other squads.”

With Soutar out and Kelvin Jack on trial at Brighton, trialist Colin Meldrum will get the chance to stake another claim for a contract on both days.

Returning to the squad for the first time since a knee operation will be Callum Macdonald. Although time is now running out, a couple of outfield trialists may also be added to the Dens squad.

Day and weekend tickets are still available from the club shops at Tannadice and Dens, but fans can pay at the gate on both days.

An SFA tribunal is scheduled to meet on Monday to consider Dundee’s appeal in the Hassan Kachloul affair.