And, with Callum Macdonald hurting a hamstring in the cup draw at Hamilton on Saturday, Wilkie’s return to the frame is timely.

Today, boss Alan Kernaghan stressed the main reason the centre-half is back in contention is because he is ready.

“I think he is feeling a lot stronger than he has done for a long time. He will need time to get his touch back and his match fitness, but, in terms of his knee, he has done all the work and had a few reserve games, so this is the next step.”

Wilkie’s career has been dogged by knee problems since being carried off during a derby against Dundee United in January 2004.

After over a year out, he returned for a dozen games last year, but snapped the troublesome ligament for a second time in a game against Dunfermline, leading to fears his career could be over.

However, he had surgery at a top American clinic last summer and was told there should be no reason why he cannot return at the highest level.

Tomorrow, he is likely to take his biggest step towards that and, while that is good news for both player and club, others will also be taking an interest.

It is understood that at least two SPL clubs plan to monitor his progress and, if he proves his fitness between now and the end of the season, there could be moves for him come the summer.

Wilkie’s imminent return apart, it was a day of check-ups at Dens today.

As well as Macdonald’s fitness, goalkeeper Kelvin Jack’s knee injury was being looked at, though the chances are he will miss out at Palmerston. Colin Marshall will be back in contention after missing out at the weekend because he was cup-tied, but a shoulder injury will again rule out Steven Robb.

Sky have confirmed their intention to screen the Hamilton replay on Thursday next week for the purposes of a live broadcast. That will bring the two clubs a welcome windfall of £82,500 each and will mean Dundee’s game at Airdrie, due a week on Saturday, will be put back 24 hours.

“It was David’s first start for the club and I thought that, first half in particular, he was excellent.

“Garry’s come in, been very solid and got a goal, so that will have done him good.”

Lee Mair also earned a pat on the back for his weekend efforts as he filled in at left-back for his first full 90 minutes at first-team level in just over a year.

“When you consider the length of his absence, he could not have been expected to have played any better and I was very pleased with him. He has worked very hard to get back and this is his reward.”

Along with Greg Cameron and David Goodwillie, Garry Kenneth is now in Spain with the Scotland U/19 squad.

They will be involved in games against the Irish Republic, later today, and Finland on Wednesday, but will miss out against Norway on Friday because they could be involved in Saturday’s SPL game at Hibs.

“We’ve allowed them to go and are happy to see them get international recognition, but our squad is so tight that we need them back for training here on Thursday morning.”

Collin Samuel is also away on international duty.

He’s in the Trinidad & Tobago squad to face Iceland at QPR’s Loftus Road tomorrow.

Defender David McCracken will be back in action at Easter Road after missing the East End trip through suspension.

Another defender, Charlie Mulgrew, will undergo his knee surgery tonight.

Meanwhile, midfield man Darren Sheridan has recovered from the flu which kept him out of the Hamilton win.