“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.