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.