A knee ligament strain picked up against Hibs last Sunday ended his season and boss Craig Levein has told the 31-year-old he is free to head over the North Sea as soon as he can make arrangements.

He’ll have further treatment for his injury next week before he goes, but United are delighted he has already confirmed he will be back to watch the final game of the season, at home to Celtic.

That will give him the chance to take a bow in front of the fans and let them show their appreciation for a player they’ve taken to their hearts.

And, while his gaffer wanted to hang on to him for another couple of seasons, Kalvenes will leave with the best wishes of all the staff.

“I’m disappointed he’s going, but it is not unexpected. His wife wants to go home and, when you consider he’s planning to spend the rest of his life with her and would only have been here for another two years, it’s a no brainer for him,” said Craig.

“We’ll miss him, because he has been excellent on the pitch and he is someone who is good to work with. I get on really well with him and, if I could have another 10 Christian Kalveneses, I’d be happy.

“It’s a pity his injury means he’s played his last game, but I’m pleased he’s coming back over for the Celtic game. It’ll be nice for the fans to get the chance to say goodbye.”

That now means another left-back will be added to Craig’s list of wants for next term and, on that score, he has again been linked with Airdrie United front man Allan Russell.

“The position with him has not changed and he is one on a list of players I’m looking at. I did go to watch him play against Alloa, but he came off injured after 15 minutes so things did not move forward any.”

Looking at the race for third and Saturday’s trip to Motherwell, Darren Dods’ foot problem has flared up again and he is a big doubt.

United’s reserve game against Rangers, which was due to go ahead at Broadwood today, has been cancelled and rescheduled for Monday, May 12.

Hibs, somewhat surprisingly, have indicated he is free to leave Easter Road, and that is likely to prompt offers from several clubs.

Right now, the Dark Blues are at the front of the queue, and in their favour is the fact he has enjoyed his time so far at Dens.

And, while boss Alex Rae is remaining cautious over the chances of the striker putting pen to paper on a permanent contract, today he was not hiding his desire to keep Antoine-Curier.

“He has done well here and made a big impact, so, of course, he is one we’d like to keep. It’s too early yet to say how things will work out, but it is fair to say we’ll be trying to hang on to him.”

The front man is one of a number of players Alex intends meeting with over the next couple of days and that includes a couple who are in the process of leaving other clubs.

Dundee, meanwhile, will form a guard of honour and applaud their season long-rivals onto the pitch on Saturday.

“I’m told it’s the norm to do that, so that’s what we’ll do. It’s not something I have a problem with and I recognise Hamilton have had a very good season,” added Alex.

“In fact, I think both teams have been excellent. We are disappointed not to be the ones finishing top, but it has been a good race and taking it to the last week of the season means my players deserve credit, too.”

Looking towards the build up to next season, a Dens friendly against Wolves on July 19 or 20 should be confirmed soon and other games against English opposition are in the pipeline.

Part of the pre-season could be spent down south or in Ireland and offers of games and training facilities have been forthcoming from both sides of the border in the Emerald Isle.

He was attended to by Saints’ medical staff upon leaving the field and they were concerned enough to ask for paramedics to assist to the 19-goal forward.

He was then taken to hospital as a precaution.

At this stage, it looks as though he’ll miss Saturday’s home game against Livingston and one definite non-starter is central defender Kevin James, following his red card in the 3-1 loss at Forthbank.

Goran Stanic and Jody Morris, who missed out last night, are still injury doubts, while Martin Hardie, Kevin Rutkiewicz and Allan McManus are only one booking away from bans and may be kept out again on Saturday.