Mann had been a regular starter at Dens since previous boss Jim Duffy fixed him up in the summer of 2004, but late last month he was dropped to the bench and has struggled to regain his place in the team.

With less than six months of his contract to run, the big Dundonian is already free to speak to other clubs with a view to moving on in the summer and Dundee feel it’s only right that he be allowed to move on now if a suitable offer for his services is forthcoming.

“Bobby came to see us this morning and, after thinking over his request, we have decided to listen to offers for him,” said Davie Farrell today.

“I thought he might have wanted to stay and fight to get back in the team, but he wants to seek pastures new and I can understand that, at his age, he feels he has to be playing regularly.”

Mann has already been linked with a move to Peterhead, where he would team up with Steve Paterson, his old boss at Inverness Caley Thistle, as well as former Dens team-mate Callum Macdonald, who was released from Dens just yesterday in order to make his loan move to the north-east a permanent switch.

Today, several members of the squad who live out of town did not make it to training because of blizzard conditions.

“The Glasgow and Edinburgh boys had a nightmare journey. The gaffer and I did make it from Glasgow, but the players who were travelling up were still at Stirling at 11 o’clock so we told them to turn back and do some work on their own this afternoon,” added Davie.

Dundee will travel to face Airdrie on Saturday, February 3 (KO 3 pm). The game was originally scheduled for last week, but was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch.

The Fife-based contingent were held up by snow, while torrential rain was a problem for those heading through from the west.

And, once in the City of Discovery, with almost every grass surface flooded, finding a suitable pitch on which to work was virtually impossible.

“One day we’ll get a proper training session, but, right now, it seems something happens every week to give us problems,” said the manager, who was stuck for a time in the blizzard that swept across parts of Fife this morning.

“As well as me, we’ve got Noel Hunt and Sean Dillon, who’s staying with him just now, in Fife, so we’ve had problems and I know others have been hit as well.

“It’s not ideal at this stage of the week, but there is not a lot we can do about the weather.”

One thing the conditions have not hampered is the attempt to add another defender to the squad for the remainder of this season, though it is now odds-on there will be no new arrival in time for Kilmarnock.

“I am working on two or three options, but there is always something to hold you up and I can’t see anything being done in time for Saturday,” added Craig.

One consolation on a frustrating day was the absence of any fresh injuries among the players who can play at Rugby Park, and the squad for the trip west should be augmented by the return of Christian Kalvenes, as well as the available again Dillon.

“The only one who got injured in the cup-tie was Barry Robson. I don’t think he would have made Saturday, but he is suspended for the next two games anyway and, by the time he has served his ban, he should be fit.”

With the seconds ticking away to the 120th minute, Peter MacDonald let fly from 25 yards to give Saints a 2-1 win.

The spirited home team had taken the game into extra-time thanks to a magnificent goal from the ex-Saint in their ranks, Ryan Stevenson.

The midfield man flicked the ball over the head of 6 ft. 7 in. Kevin James before slamming home from just outside the penalty area.

It was an outrageous effort, but no more than The Honest Men deserved for a gutsy display that had Saints stretched at times.

The visitors got off to the best possible start when Jason Scotland netted from a free-kick with just four minutes on the clock.

Paul Sheerin appeared to handle in the build-up before being fouled by Martin Campbell. Referee Mike Tumilty ignored Ayr’s appeals for a free-kick, gave Saints one instead, and Jason found the net.

Wearing gold-coloured boots, it was a golden strike and, as Saints pressed for a second, Mark McGeown, a former Airdrie team-mate of Saints’ team boss Owen Coyle, brought off several good saves.

The swirling wind made conditions very difficult and McGeown and his opposite number in the Perth goal, Kevin Cuthbert, did well to cope with the swerving, dipping ball.

But just as the 200 visiting fans were beginning to think of making the long hike back up the road at the end of 90 minutes, Stevenson scored his wonder goal and, although McGeown continued to perform well in defying Saints, MacDonald in particular, the game went into extra time.

And, with penalties looming and players on both sides virtually out on their feet, MacDonald uncorked the cracking strike that won it for Saints.

Owen Coyle was, at times, in frantic mode on the touchline as he both applauded and agonised at his side’s play, but his personal good record at Somerset Park stood firm.

“As on Saturday against Livingston, conditions were not suitable for a lot of good football but we started well with a good goal,” Owen said.

“And, although Ayr put us under a lot of pressure, we should have made it 2-0.

“Then Ryan Stevenson, who was with us until a few months ago, scored a beauty.

“We again had chance after chance following that, but Mark McGeown had a fantastic game for them.

“But a fit and well Peter MacDonald is a top striker and he showed that with his terrific goal which won it for us.

“We have Steven Milne out for six weeks, and that is giving Peter a chance to get a run in the team.

“He’s had a lot of injury problems recently, but, hopefully, he’s over them now and that goal will be a real boost to him.

“And Kevin James came back in after a spell out injured and played a real captain’s part.

“That’s us in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup now, we’re in the CIS Insurance Cup semis and we’re battling for the First Division title, so have plenty to play for — and we’ll be back at training tomorrow preparing for Saturday’s must-win home league game against Airdrie United.”