And while the injury crisis at the Dark Blues is no longer quite so severe, skipper Paul McHale has revealed there will still be some walking wounded in the starting XI. as league duty resumes following the international break.

He himself has rushed back from a torn calf muscle that ruled him out for just three weeks when the original diagnosis was that he would be missing for a month at the very least.

Goalkeeper Rab Douglas has also been nursing a tight hamstring and, although Paton’s condition has improved considerably, he cannot yet be considered 100%.

With, however, the likes of Gary MacKenzie, Colin Cameron, Jim Lauchlan and Darren Young all still on the long-term absentee list, McHale knows it is all hands to the pumps, though he is not looking for any plaudits.

“That’s the way it has to be and it is the same with all the boys.

“If we can play we will and we want to — it’s much better being out on the park trying to improve results than watching.

“From my point of view, my injury is fine and I’ve been training most of this week. I was sick on Tuesday, but it just seemed to be a 24-hour thing that my wife and wee girl had as well and now it’s cleared.

“My fitness is not 100%, so like a few others it is just going to be a case of getting out and giving what I’ve got.”

If that is not enough to bring three needed points, there will be no excuses and, despite recent distractions like those injuries and takeover talk, he does not hide from one simple fact — results have not been good enough.

“The injuries have been a problem and, while as players you try not to let things like the takeover stuff affect you, for a week or so before it was settled we were working with people who were worried about their jobs. That’s not nice to see and you feel for them.

“None of that changes the fact we know the results in the last while have not been good.

“The top of the league is still only six points away and third is only three and, with the teams above us playing each other tomorrow, it’s a chance to make up some ground.

“We believe we can do that — and we are still looking to get back up because we know we are good enough.”

As well as his now customary check at the physio’s room to see how many players will miss out through injury, boss Alex Rae was today also awaiting the return of international pair Chris Pozniak and Mikael Antoine-Curier.

Pozniak faced a relatively straightforward flight back from Canada’s World Cup draw with Mexico in Edmonton late on Wednesday night. Antoine-Curier’s return from Caribbean Cup duty with Guadaloupe was more complicated and he is not expected home until this evening.

Fans are reminded there will be a minute’s applause prior to kick-off as a mark of respect following the death of Dundee United chairman Eddie Thompson.