Over the road at Dens Park, the tendonitis that has plagued keeper Kelvin Jack for months will sideline him for at least the rest of the month and there is even some doubt over his World Cup Finals place with Trinidad.

Although Tangerines pair Miller and Stillie completed the 90 minutes against Rangers on Sunday, the striker cracked a bone in his elbow, while a second-half save from hat-trick man Kris Boyd saw the goalie break a pinkie.

That put their further participation this term in doubt and today fears were confirmed.

“Both are going to be out for at least six weeks, so that’s the season over for them. It’s a blow and we’ve had a few with injuries, but we just have to get on with it and, for Craig Samson, this is a big chance to show what he can do,” said boss Craig Brewster.

Stillie’s misfortune is timely for back-up goalie Samson.

He’s out of contract in the summer and, starting with Falkirk on Saturday, has six games to prove he’s worth a new deal.

At Dundee, Jack is also out of contract in the summer and his injury could mean he has played his last game for the Dark Blues.

His two seasons in the City of Discovery have been hampered by a string of injuries and problems that started with his knee when he hurt it in a World Cup qualifier last October.

Today, boss Alan Kernaghan would not be drawn on the player’s future, but revealed he had been playing through the pain barrier in recent weeks.

“It has been quite severe for Kelvin and he will need rest for a few weeks minimum.

“The World Cup does not start until June so I am guessing he should be OK, but he has been bothered by a string of different things with the same knee since last year, so it might be a worry.”

Jack is one of several Dundee players waiting to find out if they will be offered new deals and, while Alan is unlikely to hold talks with any of them before Tuesday’s re-arranged league clash with Brechin is out of the way, a board meeting tonight should go some way to clarifying how much money he will have to play with over the close-season.

On the injury front, Kevin McDonald, Graham Law and Steven Craig all took knocks in Tuesday’s draw at Ross County, but have a good chance of making the squad for the trip to Stranraer.

“Kevin got hit in the face, but it is only bruising, Graham has had to have stitches in his head and Steven got and x-ray because he hurt his shoulder, though that was only as a precaution. I think they’ll all be OK,” explained Alan.

“We’ll check to see if Stuart McCluskey’s calf is better, but even if it is I don’t think we will be changing the team from Tuesday unless it is necessary.”

Back on the other side of the street, the player-boss could be stepping up his training after breaking a bone in his leg on his return to United in January, though it will still be next season before he plays again.

“I’ve been doing light work and joining in the afternoon sessions so far. Hopefully, I will be able to do a bit more from next week, but I still haven’t kicked a ball so I am a bit away.”