Of those who played in the 4-1 Tynecastle win over Aberdeen, Lee Wilkie and Willo Flood would appear to have no chance of making it, while Noel Hunt, Sean Dillon and David Robertson are set to be involved despite being less than 100% fit.

On top of that, the manager is still extremely reluctant to ask either Christian Kalvenes or Mark de Vries to get stripped, because Tuesday was their first 90 minutes for around two months.

With Kalvenes not even in training until last week, he is set to be left out, but de Vries is now likely to play.

And, just to complicate things further, full-back Danny Grainger — cup-tied in midweek — has picked up a leg strain and could be struggling to make it.

“My team is not going to be anything like finalised until the morning and then it will be a case of seeing who can make it,” said Craig.

“The problem I have is that I can’t risk having too many who’ve got knocks on the pitch at the same time — that’s why Dillon did not start on Tuesday.

“I do have Jim O’Brien to come in for his debut and Danny Swanson back in the squad, and that will help freshen things up — Danny Grainger making it would be a help, too.”

With several of Tuesday’s star performers being less than 100% then, however, Craig has refused to write off his team’s chances tomorrow.

“The spirit has been excellent and, as long as we have that, we are capable of doing well. Even against St Mirren last Saturday, when we were not playing well, there was a determination not to lose and that saw us through.”

United, meanwhile, will shortly be announcing the details for the sale of tickets for that cup final date with Rangers at Hampden on March 16.

While the club are confident their 17,000-plus allocation will mean everyone who wants a ticket should get one, initially priority will be given to season ticket holders.

There is also set to be a voucher scheme for a couple of home games in the run up to tickets going on sale.

“It’s always difficult when you come into a new club. You have to get used to it and the other boys have to get used to you,” he said.

“It would have been nice if I had made my debut against Motherwell, because they are one of my old clubs, but, in the end, it wasn’t to be and the few extra days I’ve had in training has helped me get to know everyone here better.”

All being well, Cowan will still get to face his former employers when Dundee head for Fir Park on Monday night.

As much as he is looking forward to that, he knows the league business at Livingston matters more.

“The priority here has to be the league, because we want to finish top and get up to the Premier League. I’d love to get back there as soon as possible and it would be nice to get another championship medal to go with the one I got with Gretna last season.”

If he’s going to do that, Cowan knows there has to be an improvement in recent league form that’s seen Alex Rae’s men taste victory just once in six games.

This week, though, the defender has detected a steely determination among his new team-mates to make up for the loss against Queen of the South last time out.

“I wasn’t here in time for that one, but the boys have said it was a game they should never have lost. They were ahead and in control, and then let the game slip. We’ve had to wait a bit longer that we expected, but at least now we have a chance to make up for that.”

Ironically, if he gets a repeat of the first 45 minutes of that defeat, gaffer Alex Rae thinks he might be smiling tomorrow.

“I thought the first half against Queen of the South was as well as we’d played for a few weeks. Then we had a few crazy minutes in the second half and they cost us the game,” he said.

“To be fair to the players, it was uncharacteristic and they are eager to make amends, but I’m still thinking of changes.”

As well as the introduction of Cowan, fellow deadline-day signing Mikael Antoine-Curier could make his debut and partner Colin McMenamin in attack.

McMenamin will drop out on Monday because he is cup-tied.

“QOS are doing OK and, as they are sitting behind us in the league, they are looking to peg us back.

“They’re playing well and with confidence.

“I watched them beat Morton in the Scottish Cup last Saturday and was impressed with them.

“They were always in control of the game and they have experienced players who know how to get results.”

Saints are minus suspended central defenders Kevin Rutkiewicz and Steven Anderson, but two other centre-backs, Kevin James and Stuart McCaffrey, are back in training and look like being involved.

The Perth club are looking to bring a player in on loan but Derek said any deal is unlikely to happen before tomorrow.

Greg Cameron, the midfield man on loan to Saints from Dundee United, was back training with the Perth club today following his stint with Scotland U/21s in Portugal.

“Greg is desperate to do well and I’ve been happy with him. I know he has the quality to keep doing well for us,” Derek added.

Teenage defender or midfield man Steven Kerr, who comes from Dundee, is again likely to be in Saints’ squad.

The former Celtic signing has impressed and Derek said he’s in the first-team pool on merit.

The same applies to forward Bobby Barr, who comes from the west of Scotland.

Son of the former Hamilton player of the same name, Bobby is also likely to again figure in Saints’ squad tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Saints were given a massive pre-match boost when Rocco Quinn rejoined the club on loan from Celtic until the end of the season.