“Tomorrow is a big day for us, because Motherwell are one of the teams pushing to be in the top six,” said Craig.

“They also gave us a tanking at our place the last time we met, so, from that point of view, it would be good to get a result. But there are 10 games left and I’m not really concerned at what’s below us in the table.

“We are looking to get closer to Hearts and they have a very hard game at Easter Road against Hibs tomorrow and it’s no foregone conclusion they will win. So, if we can get three points there may be an opportunity for us to close the gap.”

Following the short break, which allowed many of his foreign-based players to head home, the United boss has been impressed by the way his men have set about their business in training this week.

Craig’s now hoping they will be invigorated for the games ahead and they can press on from the win at Falkirk 10 days ago.

“We’ve now got lads here from all over the place and it was a good opportunity for them to get back home. They’ve been in good form in training this week and there has been a freshness about them.

“We’ve had a couple of hard games recently and I think we’ve done OK. I think we are getting back to the form we showed earlier in the season and we seem to have a good balance back in the team.”

Meanwhile, after a week of ‘will he, won’t he?’ the manager today decided tomorrow’s game will come too soon for Scott Robertson.

The midfielder has been sidelined since January with a groin problem and, although he’s back training, will have to wait a while longer for a top-team return.

“I don’t think Scott’s going to make it,” said Craig. “He’s just over-exerted himself in training.

“We’ve got to be careful with the type of injury he’s had and we need to make sure he’s pain-free when playing.

“But, given the type of boy he is, I’m sure Scott will inform us when he’s ready to play.”

Midfield pair Danny Swanson and James Wesolowski are firmly in the manager’s thoughts after turning in fine performances for the reserves in midweek.

Manager Jocky Scott and his players realise the situation they are in, but, also know the Dingwall side need points themselves to climb away from the relegation zone and will provide another stern test.

“It’s an opportunity for us to get back on track after Tuesday and get a win — but we have to win all the games now, we can’t afford any slip-ups and the players are well aware of that,” said Jocky.

“Yesterday, the lads were a wee bit quiet, which suggests they were a bit down after Tuesday, so they will certainly be out to make amends tomorrow. They know it will be a hard game again — they all are in this league. But we’ve got to get on with it and try to go through the rest of the season unbeaten.”

Meanwhile, Jocky will give David Cowan and Gary MacKenzie every opportunity to get themselves fit before kick-off.

Cowan has an ankle problem, while MacKenzie hobbled off against Queen of the South with a hamstring complaint.

“Neither of them trained yesterday and they’ll be in with the physio today, but, even if they don’t train today, we’ll wait to see how they are tomorrow before making a decision.”

The manager ruled out Jim Lauchlan and Colin Cameron, while Craig McKeown isn’t 100% fit and would only be pressed into action in an emergency.

“It would be unfair to expect Craig to play given the amount of time he’s been out. But if he was available, and MacKenzie and Cowan were not, then our hand would be forced and we’d have to use him.”

The Dark Blues will be denied the services of Andrew Shinnie later this month. The on-loan Rangers man has been called into Billy Stark’s Scotland U/21 squad for the double header against Albania.

That will see Shinnie miss Dundee’s re-scheduled games at Ross County (Mar. 28) and Dunfermline (Mar. 31).

“I’m delighted for Andrew because he’s done very well for us and deserves to be included, but, for us, it’s a real blow because he’s going to be out for a couple of games,” said Jocky.

The absence of Shinnie could be duplicated if fellow on-loan wide man Giorgi Efrem is called up by Cyprus for an U/21 friendly against Georgia on Saturday, March 28.

“The Cypriots have been in touch requesting Giorgi, but, as they are only playing a friendly, I’ve asked for him to be left out,” said Jocky.

“It’s bad enough having one player away.”

“I’ve said throughout the season that every member of the squad is important and I stand by that,” Derek said.

“Players who have been left out of some games can come in and play vital roles in other matches.

“I have a batch of committed, determine dplayers who are giving their all.”

Left-back Richie Byrne returned to the side which won away to Clyde on Tuesday, and the Livingston game is his last before his loan deal with Inverness Caley Thistle is up.

Midfield man Martin Hardie missed the Clyde game and is unlikely to be risked at Livi.

This week, he received a second set of injections into his troublesome pelvis and it’s hoped the problem will now clear.

“As regards Martin, I trust we will see the benefits of the treatment he’s been getting in the weeks and months ahead,” Derek added.

Striker Collin Samuel, who also missed the Clyde match due to injury, is “50-50” for Livi according to Derek.

“Collin received a dead leg against Ross County so we’ll just have to wait and see how he is.”

Derek felt that, despite losing a goal, his defence was solid against Clyde and it looks as though they’ll be more thoroughly tested tomorrow as Livi have scored four times in each of their last two games. However, Saints will also have noted Livi have conceded six goals in these matches.

“We also had good passing and movement against Clyde. In fact, everybody played well and a few players played exceptionally well,” went on Derek.

One of those who played exceptionally well was Kevin Rutkiewicz. The Saints skipper has been rock-solid at the heart of his team’s defence and he has a major role to play again tomorrow.

Although Saints aren’t playing at McDiarmid Park this weekend, there is a game there tonight. Scotland take on Ireland in an U/20 rugby international and admission is free (7.30).