And, after missing out in both the semi and final when the Dark Blues finished with runners-up medals in 2003, the 24-year-old believes he could handle a starting place in boss Alan Kernaghan’s line-up.

“I think with a big game like this, adrenalin will get you through and, although the combination of flu and then my shoulder means the first cup game against Airdrie was the last time I played, if, by Friday, I have trained all week again, I will be ready,” he said.

“I was disappointed when the match went off at Ross County last weekend, because I could have done with the run-out, but my fitness is not bad, because, even though I could not play, I was able to do some work and I’ve been doing contact training for a couple of weeks now.

“I’ve got to say that I am ready to start, but it is a team game and I’ll accept the manager’s decision about who plays — Garry Brady has been doing a very good job on the left, but I don’t know what the formation is going to be.”

While he always believed he only had an outside chance of featuring when Dundee beat Inverness in the last four before losing to Rangers by a single goal last time they reached the latter stages of the cup, Robb admits he does not want a repeat of the feeling of disappointment of being told he’d been left out.

“I was on the bench in the semi against Inverness, but I did not get on and, when the team was named for the final, Gavin Beith and myself were the two who got left out.

“Obviously, we were gutted, but, with the quality of the players in that team and the fact I was just coming through and had only played three or four games, I kind of suspected I would be left out.

“When he told us, Jim Duffy said he hoped we would get another chance to get back to Hampden before too long. I don’t know if I believed we would, but we have and I am delighted about it.

“I have to admit, though, it is not something I have been thinking about too much until this week. When you are out injured you are just thinking about getting back as quickly as you can and it is just a happy coincidence that I have come back in the run-up to this one.”

Having been through the preparations for this kind of game before, Robb accepts he can be an aid to the younger members of the squad. He is quick to point out, however, they do not appear to need that much help.

“Just having been through the whole experience of this kind is a plus and, because I know what to expect, I can maybe be a help to the young boys.

“They will cope with it no bother and, when we went to Hampden last week for a look around, their attitude was that they just wanted the game to come round so they could play there.

“They’ve coped with the games in the cup so far and handled the last game against Hamilton being on TV, so I don’t think they will face any extra pressure.”

There was still no news today on Lee Wilkie’s injury. The big defender has had scans of his knee sent to Dr Richard Steadman, but the specialist has still to return his verdict.