However, with Jack still a few weeks away from a return and Soutar poised to go back into hospital for another operation on his injured knee, Murray is set to retain his place in the starting line-up.

Soutar is still having problems with his left knee and will undergo further surgery at the weekend.

He said, “The specialist is going to go in again and have a look to see if there is a bit of cartilage floating about. He thinks there is a wee bit left in there which is hidden under the bone and that is what is stopping the knee from bending.

“Hopefully, the worst-case scenario is that I’ll be out for another five or six weeks, though I’d like to think I’ll be back sooner.”

Boss Alan Kernaghan will move quickly to retain a back-up for Murray, by extending the contract of Andy Britton until the summer.

The Dark Blues have been informed that Stephen McNally’s back operation went well. The full-back will spend the next few days in hospital recuperating.

DAVID’S DOUBLE

At Tannadice, Dundee United striker David Goodwillie did his first-team prospects no harm yesterday by bagging the goals for the reserves in the 2-2 draw against Hearts at Station Park, Forfar.

The 16-year-old looks almost certain to be included in the squad that travels to face Celtic at the weekend, although he may have to be content with a place on the bench as boss Craig Brewster opts for experience over youth.

One area the manager has a problem with is the left full-back role after on-loan Charlie Mulgrew was denied permission to feature against his permanent employers.

Craig watched young Willie Easton cover in that area for the reserves yesterday, but it’s likely Alan Archibald, if he can shake off a bout of flu, will fill the void against The Hoops with Garry Kenneth restored to the centre of defence.

One-time United target Neil Macfarlane is set to join Aberdeen. The midfielder, who has quit Hearts after negotiating a settlement on the remaining five months of his contract, could be in the Dons squad for the weekend visit of Kilmarnock.