As frustrating as that was for the former Dundee and Stockport man, the good news today was that he is on course to be fit for the start of pre-season training at the beginning of July.

“The op went well and Lee should be able to start building it up again and be training in a couple of weeks or so. That means he can work over the summer and be ready for next season,” said boss Craig Brewster.

Also giving the manager reason to smile was the reserve team’s strong finish to the season. They won 2-0 at Kilmarnock last night to make it just one defeat in the last seven games.

“They have been going well and there were a few good performances at Killie. It’s good to see and now the aim has to be getting those kind of results at first-team level.”

Comeback man Jim McIntyre scored and completed 90 minutes in his first run-out since January and proving his fitness is likely to increase the chances of him being on the move over the summer — Motherwell and at least one other SPL club have been showing an interest in the 33-year-old.

Regarding players coming in over the close season, there has been some suggestion Dundee wide man Steven Robb could be a signing target.

Craig made an enquiry about him shortly after he took over at Inverness Caley Thistle, but has insisted it is still too early to say who will be arriving at Tannadice in the next couple of months or so.

As plans for next season continue to be formulated, two young players have been offered new one-year deals.

Full-back Stuart Abbott, who made his first start against Inverness at the weekend, and goalkeeper Euan McLean have both been told their services are being retained.

A decision has still to be taken on second-choice keeper Craig Samson and he has three more top-team games while deputising for the injured Derek Stillie to prove he is worth another deal.

Caretaker bosses Bobby Mann and Barry Smith, however, have decided it will not be an extra holiday and the players will be back at work tomorrow, their normal midweek day of rest.

Owner Peter Marr, meanwhile, has confirmed the meetings he had hoped to hold with senior players tomorrow to discuss further wage cuts have now been cancelled because he has other business commitments to take care of.

Unaffected by the cuts will be the young players who were introduced to the team this season, but the likes of Tam McManus, Steven Robb, Lee Wilkie, Garry Brady and Derek Soutar are to be asked to take a second salary reduction in the space of a year.

This time, there is set to be resistance from the players and how strong that is will emerge once the sit-downs are re-arranged, probably for next week.

That, and continuing work on a budget for next season, could see interviews for the post of new manager put on the back burner until well into next month.

Club spokesman Ally Geddes said, “Games against Highland have always been close, so, while we’re aware we’re probably regarded as favourites we don’t want to get ahead of ourselves.”

Anyone wishing to travel to Murrayfield to support the team can contact Ally Geddes at ally.geddes@btinternet.com