That, his age and the fact he is fit again is what has persuaded Alex to take a look at this latest foreign player — young Italian Nicola Dragovic is still training with the first-team squad.

“The Belgian lad has a bit of experience and scored goals. I’ve been told his fitness levels are good and, if that’s the case, it will be a help,” said Alex.

Match fitness, or a lack of it, has been a problem in reaching a decision over whether or not Dragovic should be offered a contract, and the manager admitted the jury is still out.

“He is big and would give us a presence up front, but it is difficult to judge from one game when his fitness was, obviously, not at the same level as the other boys.”

And while one of the two Scottish players he has been speaking to this week has decided to take up another option, Alex remains hopeful of adding further experience to his squad before Saturday’s First Division opener against Partick Thistle.

“One of them is joining someone else and the other has still to make up his mind, but I am following up quite a few options and, even at this stage, I think there is a chance something might happen before Saturday.”

Heading out of Dens Park, for the time being at least, is young striker Craig O’Reilly, who is joining East Fife on a season-long loan. Others could follow him out soon, though agreement on a severance package with striker Tam McManus has still to be reached.

After being told he was no longer required to report for work just under a fortnight ago, McManus has returned to do some training and was in the starting line-up last night as a team of mainly fringe players beat local juniors North End 1-0.

The ticket office in the club shop at Dens is remaining open until 7 pm tonight and tomorrow for the collection and sale of season tickets.

And, with the usual late rush to buy the briefs now under way, Dundee are hopeful that last year’s sales mark of 2200 tickets will be comfortably bettered.

And, given the repeated blasts from Caley Thistle over the summer concerning the way United have conducted their business in trying to bring Dods, Ian Black and David Proctor to Tannadice, he was, understandably, reluctant to talk about his former employers.

“All I can really say is that I am trying to do more business and there is still a chance things might happen before Saturday,” said Craig.

Long-time target Dods, however, has confirmed to Caley he will not be extending his contract beyond this season and that may persuade them to take United’s money now rather than face losing him for free next summer.

With the relationship between the two clubs frosty at best, one final act of defiance from the Highlanders could be to drag their heals so he does not complete his proposed move until next week.

The signing that has been completed, of Christian Kalvenes, has paved the way for the Norwegian to make his competitive debut at left-back against Rangers.

Craig certainly has no worries about the 29-year-old’s introduction to the SPL being against one of the country’s top two.

“Christian is experienced and has good ability. He’s also match fit, so I would expect him to be able to handle the situation at Ibrox on Saturday,” he confirmed.

Although it did not happen last weekend as expected, United are still close to reaching agreement on a pay-off with unwanted defender Paul Ritchie, and that could be finalised before the weekend.

Ritchie has again been linked with First Division Gretna, though there has also been interest in him from abroad.

Of the five first-team players told they were surplus to requirements near the end of last term, his departure would leave just Spaniard David Fernandez still on the books.

The chances of him moving on in the near future look slim and he will continue to train with the young players.

But now he’s rarin’ to go after putting in a lot of hard work to get himself fully fit for the coming campaign.

After being signed by John Connolly in time for the season before last, Kevin endured a torrid time in his first term with Saints as the team struggled.

Then, after Owen Coyle took over as manager from Connolly, he brought in Kevin James and Mark Campbell from Falkirk.

With the signing of those two centre-halves, Kevin thought his days at Perth were numbered.

But he gritted his teeth, got his place in the team — and has never looked back, being one of Saints’ most consistent performers last season when only winners St Mirren finished ahead of them in the First Division.

Now, as he sets his sights on this coming league campaign, Glasgow-based Kevin commented, “The First Division will once more be a tough league.

“Gretna and Livingston will be strong and Alex Rae looks as though he’s getting Dundee into shape.

“In the two seasons I’ve been here, we’ve been playing catch up, so we should be looking to dictate right from the start. It’s so vital that we get off to a good start and let the others chase us.

“With just one team going up, it’s a hard job to get into the Premierleague, but the players we’ve added since last season ended have been good signings.

“The competition we face is stiff and I can honestly see six teams being in with a shout of the title come the turn of the year.”

Transfer activity continues to dominate the news at McDiarmid Park.

The Perth outfit finally added Bryn Halliwell to their squad today. A delay regarding paperwork had held up his move from Dunfermline.

Saints hope to have another new face by the time the Clyde game comes around. Speculation is linking ex-Aberdeen and Dunfermline player Derek Young with the club, but manager Owen Coyle is staying tight-lipped.

Young striker Neil McCallum has gone to Alloa Athletic on loan.