Although the Irishman has been passed fit to play, he is still feeling some discomfort from his damaged ankle and has been told it’s a situation that can persist for a few more weeks.

Even so, he did come off the subs’ bench at Inverness last Saturday and got 50 minutes or so for the reserves on Tuesday. That might just have left him ready to reclaim his starting place on a regular basis.

“Noel has definitely done enough to get himself in contention for the starting line-up, though whether or not he is going to last 90 minutes is difficult to say,” said boss Craig Levein. “He is coming on, though, and that run out for the reserves has been a help to him.”

Likewise, the manager has been pleased by the progress Steven Robb has been making, but, with his back and hamstring injury concerns dating back to last summer, is reluctant to push the midfielder too hard.

“He’s is looking fit and he’ll be on the bench again on Saturday and has a good chance of being involved. Like Noel, the time he got in the reserves will have helped him, but I am very conscious of Steven’s injury problems and I do not want to overload him with work.

“The ideal situation would be to give him some more game time and then a full week’s training before we start thinking about him in terms of a starting place.”

Meanwhile, David Proctor’s loan move to Airdrie has been granted after the Diamond’s successfully challenged FIFA’s rule which states that no player can play for more than two clubs in one season.

Full-back Proctor turned out for Caley Thistle in a reserve game in August prior to his Tannadice move.

United’s youth development programme was better off today to the tune of £55,000 after the Dundee United Development Association handed over a cheque for that amount. The cash was raised through lottery, the sale of 50/50 tickets on match days and super draws.

“I’ve been having talks with an agent and made his client an offer. Now it’s a matter of him getting back to me once they’ve had time to consider it,” he said.

“It’s still at an early stage, so I do not want to give any details of the boy, but he is someone we feel could do a good job here. There is a while to go until he would be joining up, but it is never too early to look ahead and plan for the future.”

The light covering of snow in Dundee this morning did not hamper training as the squad got down to final preparations for Saturday’s home clash with St Johnstone.

As well as providing them with a surface on which to train, the undersoil heating system at Dens should also ensure the pitch beats the freezing temperatures forecast for between now and Saturday.

St Johnstone’s main concern remains left-back Goran Stanic who has a leg knock.

Saints’ team boss Owen Coyle is, however, hopeful he’ll be in his usual place.

Having played three games last week, Owen gave some of his squad lighter duties earlier in the week.

He’s now stepped up their training, however, in readiness for the weekend.

Meanwhile, former Airdrie United team boss Sandy Stewart is being linked with the job of No. 2 to Owen, as Jim Weir is set to be appointed manager of Montrose tonight.