| Pat Clarke, troubled by a groin problem in the final couple of weeks of the pre-season build-up, confirmed his return to fitness this afternoon when he started a closed-door game against the Scotland Under-21 side at Dens Park.
Also scheduled for a run-out was Leigh Griffiths, although the teenager was turning out for Billy Stark’s side after initially pulling out of the national squad due to a calf knock picked up in the 1-0 win against Morton. However, with the injury cleared up, and the Dark Blues having plenty of players needing a game, Stark was delighted to welcome the 18-year-old back into the fold.
That means Griffiths and Clarke should both be in the Dundee squad for Stark’s Park, along with last Saturday’s starting front men Sean Higgins and Colin McMenamin. Also included should be Mickael Antoine-Curier, who missed the Morton win through suspension.
“As long as they suffer no reaction to playing today, Clarke and Griffiths should be fine, so I should have plenty of options up front,” said Jocky.
Choices at the back should also increase, with David Cowan also considered fit enough to line up against the young Scots.
Dundee still have former keeper Derek Soutar training with them and, should Rab Douglas fail to recover from his stomach strain in time to play on Saturday, he could again take a place on the bench.
“It is not going to be a long-term thing with ‘Soapy’, because we have three goalkeepers, but, rather than recall John Gibson from his loan at Elgin when it’s just started, I thought it was better to make use of him.
“He can be used as a trialist for three games and I know he has the experience and ability to do the job if we had to call on him.”
Although he has still to get fixed up with a club for this season, Soutar has been in talks with a couple of interested outfits from Hungary. |
