And, although there was little to choose between the teams, Jocky is aware of the threat a powerful Dunfermline side will pose.

“There wasn’t many chances in the game, but Dunfermline are a big, strong team and they are very, very dangerous at set-plays. That’s where they got their goal from and it’s something we’ll have to guard against on Saturday,” said Jocky.

Despite the Pars holding a seven-point advantage, however, Dundee will go into the game confident they can make it two wins on the bounce following last Saturday’s victory at Queen of the South.

They will also be boosted in the knowledge the previous two meetings between the pair have ended in a draw at Dens in September, and a victory for the Dark Blues at East End Park in Jocky’s second game in charge last month.

And with only Gary MacKenzie and Colin Cameron on the injured list, Dundee are better placed squad-wise than at any time in the season.

“We probably are better off in terms of availability, but, regardless of what team I put out, we know it’s going to be tough,” added Jocky.

With temperatures set to fall below zero over the next few days, Dundee will switch on their undersoil heating to make sure the game against Dunfermline goes ahead.

Meanwhile, although he is still at least a month away from a return, Jocky is already relishing the prospect of being able to include Cameron on his team sheet.

The former Scotland international has yet to make a competitive start for the Dark Blues since signing in the summer.

However, the manager is hopeful that could soon end and feels the midfielder may still have a part to play in Dundee’s promotion bid.

“Colin has been working well in training and has been looking good,” said Jocky.

“Obviously, we have to be careful — I don’t want him getting clattered in a five-a-side game. He is still a bit away before he could be considered ready for the first team, but maybe by the end of January he’ll be closer.

“He is a good talker on the park and is always capable of getting a goal, so, from that point of view, if we can keep picking up points his experience could be vital.”

Young defender Kyle Benedictus, midfield man Darren Young and striker Bryan Deasley all came through yesterday’s game against local junior outfit Violet unscathed. Deasley grabbed the winning goal in a 2-1 victory.

Black Cats boss Ricky Sbragia said, “It’s not quite worked out for Roy up there. It was going well, but he got suspended and found it difficult to get back in the team.

“It would have been unfair to leave him there.”

O’Donovan’s departure could determine whether or not Kevin Smith, whose loan deal at Raith Rovers is about to expire, returns to Tannadice.

United boss Craig Levein wouldn’t be drawn on that subject, preferring to concentrate on Saturday’s clash against Celtic at Parkhead.

And the United gaffer feels his side will have to produce a season’s-best display if they are to win at the home of the current champions, who will have been buoyed by their 1-0 Old Firm win over Rangers at Ibrox last Saturday.

However, United have similar reasons for being optimistic about their prospects, having turned in an impressive display of their own in beating Falkirk last time out.

And Craig feels if they can reproduce that sort of performance, they’ll certainly be in with a shout of plundering the points.

He said, “I thought we were excellent against Falkirk last weekend and we’ll need to keep that sort of form going at Parkhead if we are going to give ourselves a chance of winning. We’ll probably need to produce our best performance of the season if we are going to do it.

“Celtic are on a high because of their win last weekend, but we’re in good form as well, so the lads have plenty of confidence. As ever, I can’t say whether we’re going to do it, but, one thing’s for sure, we’ll go there all guns blazing and give it our best shot.”

Craig confirmed midfielder Greg Cameron can go out on loan when the transfer window opens.

Meanwhile, team boss Derek McInnes has praised the club’s fans. There was a good attendance at Monday afternoon’s Meet The Manager session for season ticket holders and Derek was happy at the way it went.

He’s delighted by the support at games, too, and commented, “We have been getting good backing from our fans and that’s great.”

Saints were 1-0 up against Rangers after 70 minutes in a closed-door game yesterday before losing 3-1.