And, with fellow-frontman Francisco Sandaza also ruled out due to hamstring trouble and Jon Daly on the long-term injured list, manager Craig Levein doesn’t have his problems to seek up front.

Those injuries almost certainly mean David Goodwillie and Andis Shala will lead the line against Jimmy Calderwood’s side as United look to cement a Europa Cup spot for next season.

“I don’t think Warren and Fran’s injuries are too bad and I think they should be OK for the Celtic game, but that’s not much good to us right now,” said Craig.

“We have David and Andis, but we are not over-endowed with strikers at the moment.”

On the plus side for the Tangerines, left-sided defender Paul Dixon comes back into the plans after completing a ban, while Scott Robertson continues to recover from pelvic problems and is set to again feature on the bench.

United reserves were due to meet Celtic away today, but the manager resisted the temptation of giving Robertson a run-out.

“It’s more of a precautionary step, but Scott wouldn’t gain any fitness benefit by playing one match and, with James Wesolowski out and several other players injured, we need him more for Thursday’s game.”

One man set to get 90 minutes under his belt for the second string was Lee Wilkie. The towering centre-back is in the middle of a two-game ban, but can still feature for the reserves.

Meanwhile, the manager confirmed James Wesolowski has returned to Leicester after it was revealed in yesterday’s Tele the Aussie’s season was over after tearing a hamstring. However, Craig hasn’t ruled out the prospect of the on-loan midfielder returning to Tannadice next season.

“James is away back to Leicester so they can assess the injury down there,” said the United boss. “While I didn’t think he was anywhere near 100% fit when he first came here, he was gradually working his way back to fitness with us.

“I think he did a really good job for the club during his spell here and I would like to thank him for that. Hopefully, we will be seeing him back here next season if he can sort something out with Leicester.”

For a host of others, though, the picture remains unclear and the manager is set to hold talks with those affected over the next few days.

“I’ve more or less made my decisions and some of the boys who are leaving have already been told. I’ll be speaking to others later in the week,” said Jocky.

Injuries are again likely to hinder the manager’s selection process when Partick Thistle wind up the season at Dens on Saturday.

However, big defender Gary MacKenzie returns to the fold after completing a suspension.

One or two others who have been carrying knocks are likely to be rested.

Saints have several players out of contract and will be talking to them throughout the course of this week.

Meanwhile, Steven Anderson and Steven Milne are set to undergo surgery once the season is over. Anderson will have ankle damage repaired and Milne is to undergo a tidy-up knee operation.