However, the former Valencia striker won’t be available for the start of the new campaign and will miss pre-season — a bitter blow to manager Craig Levein.

He said, “Fran was feeling a bit of pain towards the end of last season, but we were hoping things would settle down over the summer. However, he’s come back and it has flared up again, so the doctor has had a look and he’s going to need an operation.

“It’s a real blow for the player and the club, because he missed pre-season training last season and I think he never really got himself fully fit because of it.

“Now he’s going to miss the start of this season as well, but there is nothing we can do about it.

“He needs the surgery and, as long as everything goes well, he should be fit enough to return in around six weeks.”

Meanwhile, the Tangerines have signed Slovakian keeper Dusan Pernis on a pre-contract deal.

However, unless agreement can be reached, the 24-year-old shotstopper, who plays for top-flight outfit MSK Zilina in his homeland, is unlikely to arrive at Tannadice until the turn of the year.

That would leave the manager still searching for another goalie to vie for the No. 1 jersey along with Steve Banks.

Meanwhile, Craig confirmed today that young striker Johnny Russell is not going on loan to Raith Rovers.

Two youngsters who are set to be farmed out, however, are midfielder Ryan Dow, who is heading to Forfar, and Stirling Albion-bound striker Ross McCord.

Former United striker Warren Feeney has been linked with a move to Hearts after Cardiff City told the Northern Ireland international he was free to leave if he found another club.

“At the moment, we are probably working with the same numbers we had last season and that’s OK, but you can never legislate for what can happen during a season,” said Jocky.

“Last season, the team was decimated by injuries — I think we had something like 11 players on the treatment table when I first arrived.”

Meanwhile, Jocky insisted Rab Douglas was going nowhere after the big keeper was linked with Colchester United, who are managed by Paul Lambert.

Douglas still has two years left on his current Dens deal.

Eddie Malone and Leigh Griffiths were forced to miss a few days of the first week’s pre-season work.

“Eddie had a some knee pain, while Leigh has an abdominal problem, but it’s nothing serious and they were both left out purely as a precaution,” said Jocky.

“In Leigh’s case, it’s down to the fact he’s being asked to do a lot of stuff he hasn’t done before. He’s only 18 and his muscles are still developing.”

Former Dundee boss Alex Rae has been linked with the vacant No. 2 job at MK Dons. Paul Ince, Rae’s former Wolves team-mate, took charge of the English League One side last week.

He is now out of hospital and it was thought he would travel south with the rest of the squad today. However, on medical advice, he has stayed back in Scotland, although it’s hoped he’ll join the squad later in the week.

Meanwhile, midfield man Kevin Moon will take the opportunity to visit a specialist in Leicester tonight with regard to his groin injury.