“I’m still not doing too much work on things like shape and it will be later in the week before we turn our attention to that,” said Craig.

“What I want is another good run out for the players and the fact Inverness will be further down the road on that score than we are is good.

“They were in the Premier League until the end of last season as well, so we know we will get a decent game up there.”

Missing out tonight and almost certainly for the next few weeks is newly-signed Argentinian striker Damian Casalinuovo, after it emerged he has dislocated a shoulder and damaged ligaments round the joint.

He suffered the knock during last Thursday’s win over Kildare County in Ireland and while, initially, there was no indication of any serious problem, an examination has revealed the shoulder popped out and back in again.

Exactly how long he will be sidelined remains to be seen, but with Francisco Sandaza still recovering from groin surgery, Kevin Smith a broken ankle and Jon Daly serious knee trouble, an injury to another front man was the last thing that was needed.

“These days they don’t do surgery for these dislocations unless they really have to and the medical people are confident it will sort itself, but when it comes to how long he will be out for it’s a case of, ‘How long is a piece of string?’”

As well as sending a strong squad to the Caledonian Stadium this evening, there will be a sprinkling of first-team squad members on duty again tomorrow night in a friendly at Linlithgow Rose, who are managed by former East Fife boss Dave Baikie.

And, it has transpired, the Dundee players may come up against one of their team-mates.

“Bryan Deasley is going out on loan to Forfar and will play against us this evening,” confirmed Jocky Scott today.

“Whether it is for a full season or otherwise hasn’t been decided yet and I’m still talking to Dick (Campbell) about that.”

The Dens gaffer was delighted with the run-out at Gayfield last night, in which the majority of the players played for the full game.

“It was another good exercise and it allowed me to play most of the players for a full 90 minutes,” he enthused.

“Up until then, players, by and large, have just been getting 45 or 60 minutes, so it was good to keep them on the park for the full game.

“Tonight’s game will be along the same lines.”

The manager confirmed his starting line-up tonight as (4-4-2) — Bullock; Smith, MacKenzie, McKeown, Malone; Grant, Kerr, Young, Harkins; McMenamin, Griffiths.

Goalkeeper Tony Bullock is the only player from last night’s line-up to be involved as Rab Douglas needs a few more days’ rest as he recovers from a stomach strain.

Striker Pat Clarke (hamstring) and defender David Cowan (groin) continue to miss out.

Jocky also said he was no further forward in his quest to sign a left-back and all negotiations on that front were “on-going”.

Forfar boss Dick Campbell will be looking for further signs his men are poised to make a strong start to the season after they claimed the Alba Cup scalp of Second Division East Fife.

Campbell felt his side were worthy winners at New Bayview and would settle for a repeat performance on the visit to Clyde this weekend in the Co-Op Cup.

Tonight’s match kicks-off at 7.30 with admission prices of £7 and £3.

Andy Jackson and Peter MacDonald are still recovering from injuries and are joined on the sidelines by Graeme Smith and Martin Hardie.

They’re suffering strains and manager Derek McInnes has decided it’s best to leave them out.

However, Kevin Moon is in the squad, having recovered from mumps.