| Wilkie has not played in any pre-season games so far after having a “tidy-up” knee operation at the end of last term and is still training on his own.
He is making good progress, but even the Hearts clash being put back 48 hours to be shown by ESPN on Monday, August 17, has not changed the manager’s view that it will come just too soon for the defender.
Knowing Wilkie as he does, however, Craig accepts the big man will probably have other ideas.
“For me, the main thing is that the surgery was a success and his knee is feeling better than it was at the end of the season,” said Craig.
“He has been doing a lot of work on a bike, in the pool and in the gym and he is coming on well, but I would still say it will be another 10 days before we have him back with the rest of the squad.
“That makes it touch and go for the Hearts game because he’s never been the quickest starter to a season and I think he’ll need a couple of games to get ready for the first team.
“I am erring on the side of caution and it could well be that Lee sees things differently. If he has other ideas and proves me wrong, I won’t be complaining.”
Tomorrow night, United head up to the Highlands for a friendly against Inverness Caley Thistle and, in addition to Wilkie, David Robertson looks set to miss out.
The midfielder had a frustrating time in Ireland last week when an ankle problem that has proved slower than expected to clear ruled him out of all three games over there. He is not too far away from fitness, but will not be ready for this one.
“We’ve a few other minor things, but I’d expect the ones who were playing in Ireland last week to be available,” said Craig.
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