Now he’s been promoted to the group preparing for the World Cup qualifiers against the Georgians in Larnaca on Saturday and the trip to face Bulgaria in Sofia tomorrow week.

That means instead of just missing this weekend’s trip to the Highlands to face Ross County, Efrem will also be ruled out of the visit to Dunfermline a week tonight — fellow-loan star Andrew Shinnie also misses both games because he’ll be with the Scotland Under-21s.

While the call-ups are great news for the players, Dark Blues boss Jocky Scott admitted it was something he could do without.

“Geordie has phoned me to say that, because of a couple of injuries, he is now in the full squad and, obviously, we are very pleased for him,” explained Jocky.

“It is a good reflection on him and the performances he’s turned in for us since we got him from Rangers, but, to be honest, these internationals have become a nuisance!

“We were hoping he’d be back for Dunfermline, but now that’s not going to happen and we will just have to get on with things.”

Dundee should at least be boosted by the return of veteran midfielder Colin Cameron this weekend.

Out for the last three games because of a hamstring problem, the 36-year-old is expected to return to full training tomorrow and Jocky believes he can play a major role in the closing weeks of the campaign.

“He’s been doing a bit of running on his own and has been progressing well. If he comes through the next few days OK, with Efrem and Shinnie dropping out it will be a good time to get him back.

“With Colin’s experience and ability, he could be a big asset for us over the next few weeks.”

Training with the squad today was Jim Lauchlan, despite the 10 stitches he had to have inserted in the back of his head at Partick on Sunday.