Freezing temperatures have again been forecast tonight, but the Dens gaffer is keeping his fingers crossed Ayr United’s pitch will remain playable and, this time, he can successfully complete his spying mission.

“Gordon Wallace watched them again for us on Saturday, so we do have a comprehensive report on them. But it will be nice if I can see them myself and get a clearer picture of how they are going about their business.”

Having seen them beat St Johnstone earlier in the cup and from his vastly-experienced youth coach’s reports, Alan admitted he already had a fair idea who the danger men in Rowan Alexander’s side will be.

“They have quite a few decent players and there is danger from several areas, but you just have to look at their results to see Kenny Deuchar and James Grady will be a threat.

“Deuchar has been scoring goals since he went there and Grady has got his fair share this season. He obviously has strong connections to both clubs in Dundee and, in a lot of ways, he is similar to Bryan Deasley.

“When they are on the pitch they are never standing still and that means defenders do not get a moment’s peace during a game.”

While the cup will be on Alan’s mind tonight, he will not be ignoring Saturday’s league game at Ross County and, despite a disappointing First Division campaign, has been stressing he wants the right approach in every game between now and the end of the season.

“I think that, mentally, there have been too many times this season when players have not prepared themselves properly for league games.

“I can’t just accept that because, if nothing else, fans have paid good money for season tickets and have a right to expect us to go about our business in the league the way we have done in the cup.”

Looking at the trip to Dingwall, strikers Simon Lynch (flu) and Tam McManus (calf) are both expected to be available, though they will take things easy in training for a few days.

Although this afternoon’s reserve game at Dunfermline was called off due to a frozen pitch, it would have come too soon for him. But the former Hearts man should feature for the second string against Kilmarnock in seven days’ time.

And his boss is hopeful of seeing him at first-team level in the not too distant future.

“Paul did all the work in training yesterday and seems to have come through it OK. If there are no further setbacks, he should be ready for the reserves next week,” said Craig.

Although Ritchie, Jim McIntyre and suspended pair Grant Brebner and Mark Kerr will not feature against Kilmarnock this weekend, the manager is pleased to see every member of the playing staff out on the training pitch right now.

“I am the only one who has not been able to join in with the squad and that is the first time that all the players who were here when I have arrived have been training.”

While he is some way behind the rest, Craig himself is making good progress now that the plaster is off his broken leg and has been doing some light work.

“I have been doing some jogging and the leg has felt fine. It will still be next season before I am back, but it is nice to be able to do some work again.”

Tickets for the visit of Rangers on Sunday, April 2, are on sale from Tannadice. Fans should note that game has a 3 pm kick-off and not the usual 2 pm start for games being shown by Setanta.

“It is our intention to give Steven 90 minutes tomorrow,” said player-boss Owen Coyle.

Simon Mensing is available for Saturday’s home game against Clyde now that his ban is over and Saints will wait and see how Kevin James is following the hamstring injury which saw him miss the win over Dundee.

The Perth men have six league games left, and Owen said, “We can win every one of them.”