Assuming that is the case, the 23-year-old intends to make the most of his opportunity and help the team get back to winning ways after that weekend disappointment.

“It’s unfortunate for Bobby and, with his experience and leadership, everyone is going to miss him, but it is a chance for me to show the manager what I can do and, hopefully, stay in the team for a while,” he said.

“I’ll have my own job to do, but we do have a young squad and I definitely don’t feel I’m a kid any more, so I know I have to look to help others around me if I can.

“I’ve had a couple of seasons in the first-team squad now, one of them in the SPL, and I’ve picked up experience from playing with Barry Smith and Bobby, so I’ve an idea of what’s required.”

Taking the team as a whole, he knows if Dundee are to progress to the second round, what’s required tonight is a big improvement on the showing in that 1-0 league reversal.

“We all know in the dressing-room that we can play a lot better, both individually and collectively, than we did on Saturday.

“If it comes down to individual players, we know we should be beating them and it is up to us to produce our best and do that.

“We’re happy that we are getting an immediate chance to rectify the bad performance and put it right against the same opposition, but we have to make the most of it.”

Loan signing from Kilmarnock, Robert Campbell, is set for his debut and, with the French trialist who started on Saturday ineligible because he is not a signed player, the 20-year-old is expected to partner Bryan Deasley in attack.

With Scott Murray the only fit keeper on the books, South African Chad Harpur has arrived on trial, though he would have to sign up to be eligible for this tie.

The 23-year-old has had spells with Reading, Leeds United and Millwall, before returning to his homeland.

With extra-time and penalties a possibility, kick-off has been brought forward to 7.30 pm and fans are reminded season tickets are not valid. With a smaller attendance than Saturday expected, the south enclosure will not be open. By arrangement with Thistle, prices have been cut to £12 and £6.

“I’ve been waiting to hear back since Friday and haven’t. Until they tell me I can speak to Proctor, I can’t, so I’ll have to wait and there is nothing to report on that one,” said Craig.

With the player keen to come and the United gaffer targeting him as a possible long-term replacement for Mark Wilson as far back as January, once the go-ahead is received, thrashing out personal terms will be a formality that takes no longer than a few minutes.

And, while the 22-year-old has recently undergone shoulder surgery, he would be fit enough for a place at Kilmarnock on Saturday — if the long-running saga surrounding his move is finally resolved before then.

This afternoon, Craig got the chance to see Moroccan trialist Abderrahmane Mssassi in action when the reserves took on Rangers at Tannadice. Fellow-trialist, Congo international Franck Matingou, didn’t feature as no international clearance had been received prior to kick-off.

Craig was, however, able to also run the rule over Rangers keeper Allan McGregor, who is poised to leave the Light Blues following talks with new boss Paul Le Guen. There is a strong chance that development could see the 24-year-old end up at Tannadice. Recent signing Filip Sebo also featured in the Gers XI.

As that was happening, Paul Ritchie was due at Tannadice to sign his release papers, while the one remaining man available on a “free”, David Fernandez, was edging towards his departure and a move to Killie.

“Like any team, we want to do well in all competitions and, being at home against a lower-league side, gives us a chance to progress in this cup,” said Coyle.

“We had East Fife watched on Saturday and they were impressive, so we know what to expect tonight.”

Saints have Kevin Rutkiewicz, Steven Anderson and Martin Hardie free of suspension and they’re in the squad tonight.

Derek Young, signed on a month’s deal, looked impressive when he came on in the second half of the league fixture at home to Clyde, and looks likely to start tonight.

“Derek did well and looked a goal threat,” stated the manager.

EAST FIFE manager Dave Baikie admits his side face an uphill struggle as they travel to Perth looking to upset Saints.

“It’s a tall order for us to go to St Johnstone and win, but we’ll go there and work as hard as we have been working in training,” Baikie said.

“We’ll see if we can take something out of the game and it’s fair enough to say that we’re going there as underdogs.

“Maybe that’ll suit us and take the pressure off a bit.”

The Fifers will be unchanged from the side which drew 0-0 with Stenhousemuir on Saturday, as long-term injury casualties Greig McDonald, Paul Hampshire and Gary Kelly, who is still recovering from a bout of pneumonia, are all still missing.

RAITH ROVERS will be looking to repeat last year’s CIS Cup triumph over Airdrie United when the two sides meet again in the first round at Stark’s Park.

Rovers dumped the First Division side out at the same stage of the competition last August, with Eddie Annand and Neil Jablonski netting in a 2-0 victory.

Only six members of that squad are still with the Kirkcaldy club — and the current crop of players will have to improve on their 2-0 opening league defeat at Morton on Saturday if they have any chance of causing an upset.

Manager Gordon Dalziel admitted, “It’s been a difficult opening programme for us, but we need to cut out the unforced errors.”

Armand One and Stephen Manson, who came on as substitutes on Saturday, will be vying for a starting place.

FORFAR ATHLETIC aim to carry their opening league momentum into the cup against Alloa at Station Park.

The Loons are boosted by the new signings of Gary Fraser and Fraser Coyle, both tied up on one-year deals after the weekend triumph over Stranraer.

The Angus outfit also have Gary Lynn and Gavin Beith available again, but are without influential defender Alan Rattray as he nurses an eight-stitch head knock sustained on Saturday.

The Wasps were stung by a thumping from Cowdenbeath at the weekend, but Loons boss George Shaw is warning his side not to read anything into that.

“I’ve watched them and they are a good side,” he said.

“Their manager Allan Maitland has done a great job with them.

“We put in a great performance on Saturday, but it’s history now and we need to go into this game with the right attitude if we are to get a result.”

Brechin City are at home to fellow-Second Division side Morton (KO 7.45).

Charlie King and former Rangers and Dundee United defender Gary Bollan are still sidelined with niggling injuries, but Kevin Byers should be fit to start.

John Ward is also back after serving a one-match suspension at Peterhead on Saturday and he will captain the side in the absence of Steven Ferguson, who will be out for up to eight weeks with a broken leg.

Ferguson was replaced by trialist Richard Walker, who slotted into the side well and struck City’s equaliser.

Walker himself is returning after serious injury last season and City manager Michael O’Neill may take the opportunity to have another look at Walker tonight.

Cowdenbeath are hot favourites to beat East Stirling at Central Park.

The ’Shire had a fine 2-1 home league win over Elgin City on Saturday, but the Blue Brazil battered Alloa 6-1 at home and are unlikely to show many, if any, changes for tonight’s tie.

Despite their super start to the league season, which has seen them go top of the Second Division, Cowden manager Miksu Paatelainen is taking nothing for granted.