However, with Steven Robb and Garry Brady both confirming their return to full fitness in Monday’s friendly with local juniors North End, he does have the option of bringing their experience to his starting line-up for what looks like the Dark Blues’ toughest league fixture to date.

While that will be a consideration, the manager has stressed he’ll follow the time-honoured rule that if you are good enough you are old enough.

“Having players with experience available again is good, but, for me, it is more a case of who has been in good form and that will always be the main criteria when I am picking a team,” he said.

“What I am looking for is a team that is settled and playing well, so I won’t be making changes just because a player has been around a while.”

That said, Alan does not deny Brady and Robb are pushing hard for inclusion at Love Street and he will think long and hard before finalising his line-up.

“They are both ready to start if that’s what I decide. Garry was a bit tired after the game on Monday, but the boys had yesterday off and are fresh today and looking forward to the weekend,” he added.

Leading the list of exceptions to that is striker Steven Craig. He still has not completed a full training session since damaging an ankle in that October 1 win at Glebe Park and it will be a major surprise if he makes the squad for Paisley.

Although irritated that he is unlikely to have his new striker available, Alan is not concerned about the seriousness of the injury. “It’s not too bad, it’s just taking longer to clear than we expected. It’s frustrating for us, and for Steven, because he was just settling in and had scored a couple of goals, so it would have been good to have him in the side.

“These things happen and he will just have to be patient and wait for the injury to clear.”

Also likely to miss out again at the weekend is goalkeeper Kelvin Jack. The knee he hurt in Trinidad’s win over Mexico last week is still swollen and it is likely to be next week before he is back training.

“It’s a very good surface there and it will suit us. Of course, it suits Falkirk as well and Yogi (John Hughes) has got his team knocking the ball about well,” he said today.

And, while the surroundings may be new, Gordon has warned his players one aspect of the old Brockville ground that has been successfully transferred is the atmosphere.

“Personally, I am happy to see Falkirk back in the top flight because they are a good club and have always had a Premierleague support.

“Maybe it had something to do with it being the last season at Brockville, but, in the six months I was a coach there, the supporters turned out in good numbers and always got right behind their team. That has not changed at the new stadium.

“Yogi has certainly given them something to shout about and, after a difficult first year there, he has done very well and put together a useful team.”

Long-term absentee Lee Mair apart, United had a full complement of players on the training pitch today and, with Aberdeen and Celtic to follow in quick succession after the Bairns trip, that is pleasing.

“We have a big, big week coming and having everyone fit gives me options and is definitely a bonus.”

Tickets for Saturday and the Celtic game on Sunday week are available from the club shop opposite Tannadice.

“Mark and Kieran are not major injury worries, because they’ll both be back in training sooner rather than later,” said Saints player/boss Owen Coyle.

Saints have a couple of home youth fixtures at McDiarmid’s all-weather surface. The U/19s meet Gretna tomorrow (2 pm) and, on Saturday (1 pm), the U/17s meet Raith.