However, plans for a first-team return had to be put on hold when Robertson suffered a slight setback and he’s now set to see a specialist down south.

That could mean an operation and will almost certainly rule the Scotland international out for the remainder of the season.

Boss Craig Levein wouldn’t be drawn on how long his player would be sidelined, preferring to wait and see what the expert has to say.

“We are sending Scott down to Leicester tomorrow to see a specialist and he’ll have a look at him with a view to operating on Thursday,” said Craig.

It’s believed the specialist comes highly recommended and has recently been treating St Johnstone pair Kevin Moon and Martin Hardie.

Meanwhile, the United gaffer isn’t expecting good news when results of a scan are delivered on Jon Daly’s injured knee.

The big striker was stretchered off against Hibs at the weekend and the injury is set to undergo a more detailed inspection later today.

“When you see what happened, I’ll be surprised if it’s not a serious injury,” admitted Craig.

“It doesn’t look too good and I would expect the scan to reveal damage to a couple of ligaments in Jon’s knee.”

The on-loan Rangers man hasn’t joined the Dundee squad in training so far this week, but Jocky hasn’t given up hope the wide man will be fit when Kenny Black’s men come calling.

“Geordie might be available, we’ll have to see,” said the Dens gaffer today.

“He was at Murray Park yesterday and he’ll stay there today and tomorrow.

“We’ll see how he feels after that, but, if everything is OK, he’ll come up and train with us on Thursday.”

Meanwhile, Jocky wouldn’t be drawn on who will, or won’t, be offered new terms for next season.

However, with a 25% increase in his player budget, he’s ready to make moves to get the men he wants if, as seems almost certain, they are to spend another season pushing for promotion from the First Division

He said, “We need to find out who is available first. There is no good in putting a list together and then finding out the players you want are still under contract.

“So we need to identify the players we feel will improve the team, contact the clubs involved to find out if they are available and then try to get them.”

A win tonight will give Saints a six-point lead at the head of the Irn-Bru First Division and Kevin admitted, “Thistle came with the intention of not being beaten and we didn’t do enough to defeat them. Tonight gives us the chance to correct that wrong.

“We’ll have no better chance of going up and this is the time for us to stand up and be counted.

“We’re again without Andy Jackson, Jody Morris and Peter MacDonald and, at times this season, have had Collin Samuel, Martin Hardie and Kevin James missing, too, players who would walk into any other team in the league.

“However, we’re still top and have the opportunity to stretch that points advantage.

“We have a good, big squad and have cover to cope with injuries so really have no excuses.

“We have the team here to win the First Division and the winning of the league is in our hands.

“We’re confident of winning every game. Every one of us is looking forward to the next match and we can’t wait for tonight’s kick-off.”

Saints are set to go into the game without striker Steven Milne, who is struggling to shake off a knee injury.

Dunfermline have fitness doubts surrounding Scott Wilson, Scott Muirhead and Jamie Mole and, although their promotion chance is slim, they are looking for six points from tonight’s match and Saturday’s repeat against Saints at East End Park.

They’ve already defeated the Perth side at McDiarmid this term and manager Jim McIntyre is hoping they “can continue our decent away record this season.”

It’s 13 years since St Johnstone beat Dunfermline in the league at McDiarmid, with the Pars chalking up four league wins since then as well as seven draws, although the Perth men have recorded a CIS Cup win during that period.