As recently as this summer, it looked like his days could be numbered after a fracas in a Stirling nightclub led to bother with the law, but, since then, Goodwillie appears to have screwed the nut.

He’s been used from the bench a couple of times in the SPL and scored a double when he started at Cowdenbeath in the Co-Op Cup.

Yesterday saw him score the winner for the reserves at Motherwell and, today, his manager declared himself happy with recent progress.

“To be honest, it was not one of his better games, but, as usual with ‘Goodie’, he got into some useful positions and got a goal,” said Craig.

“He has been doing well and I think that is down to a mix of him being physically stronger and a bit more sensible in his approach. I think when he first came into the squad a lot was expected of him, but, to be honest, it was too early for him and he just was not ready.

“Then he lost his way a bit and that was a problem. Now he is working hard and focused on his football and, when he does that, he shows he has good potential.

“I’m not saying I’m about to use him in the starting line-up, but, when I sit down to think about my team, he is in my thoughts and that is a sign he is moving in the right direction again.”

With Warren Feeney and Roy O’Donovan injured, at the very least Goodwillie will be on the bench against the Dons.

United expect to find out by tonight how severe O’Donovan’s hamstring problem is — the fact he was taken off quickly on Saturday has given some hope the damage won’t prove too bad.

Alex has arranged a closed-door friendly against Hamilton tomorrow afternoon, but is likely to resist the temptation to give the likes of Mikael Antoine-Curier, Colin McMenamin or Bob Davidson the chance of some shooting practice.

And he is confident they will start hitting the back of the net soon.

“Playing my first-choice strikers would be too big a risk, but, more than that, I know they will start scoring,” he said.

“They are all proven goalscorers and, while we are not happy about them not getting goals in the last few games, it is not a major concern for me.

“I know what they are capable of and, so long as they continue to work hard and get into the positions they have been, the goals will come.”

One player who will definitely get a run out tomorrow is Colin Cameron, and more game time could put the veteran midfielder in line for a start when Livingston come to Dens on Saturday.

Defender Jim Lauchlan is unlikely to be risked just yet and, although Darren Young is making good progress, he is some way away from playing.

“Darren might join in training again later in the week when we do less physical stuff because I want him to feel involved, but we want to build up all the muscles around his ankle before we get him working full out,” added Alex.

Meanwhile, Kevin James and Jody Morris are continuing their recuperation from long-term injuries, though neither will be ready for the QOS game.