The big Czech defender was injured in the Scottish Cup defeat at Queen of the South and missed the two subsequent games against Livingston and Hamilton.

He will now have an operation on Friday, with fears rising he may have cartilage damage.

And, although it’s hoped the 31-year-old has no serious problem, he is still facing another two to three weeks on the sidelines at least. That’s bad news for the Dens men who’ve already lost the services of Scott Robertson due to a hamstring tear, while Gary Mackenzie and Gavin Swankie are battling against time to face the Pars.

And when you add suspended striker Mickael Antoine-Curier to the list of absentees, it’s easy to see why the Dens gaffer is scratching his head.

However, Alex refuses to be downbeat and will have his squad patched up and ready to go for the crucial trip to Fife

He said, “In an ideal world I’d like to have everyone fit, but there is no doubt things are beginning to get really tight squad wise.

“But we’ll shuffle things around and, as they have done in the past, the players will be ready to fight their corner.

“We know it’s going to be a tough game at Dunfermline, they’ve been playing some decent stuff under Jim (McIntyre).

“But we won down there earlier on in the season and that’s what we’ll be looking to do again.”

On the plus side, MacKenzie looks certain to feature as he improves from the head knock which forced him off at Hamilton, while wide man Swankie has been doing some light running, although the manager won’t take any risks.

“Gavin has been able to do a wee bit of work and I would say he was touch and go for the weekend, but we won’t take a chance with his fitness.”