The summer signing returned on Wednesday from a month-long loan at Raith Rovers, designed to get him match fit after he dislocated a shoulder during the pre-season tour of Ireland.

Casalinuovo’s performances for the Kirkcaldy men have convinced Craig he is ready for a competitive start in Tangerine.

“Damian has scored two goals in three games for Raith, played very well and come back here itching to get started for us,” he said.

“The idea of the loan was to get him to that point and it could hardly have worked out better. He is definitely in my thoughts for tomorrow.”

While the manager’s words have made that crystal clear, not so obvious is who else will be lining up at McDiarmid Park.

There are still doubts over injury victims Morgaro Gomis, Scott Robertson, Danny Cadamarteri and Andy Webster.

“Right now, I don’t know who I’m going to have, so, instead of naming the team as I normally do on a Friday, I’ll wait until the morning.

“Morgaro’s calf has not really improved and I’d say he now has no chance. I am hopeful Scott will make it, but, if he does not, I will completely change the system we play.

“With Danny, it just depends how deep his dead leg is and, with Webby, the one plus is he has been playing through this groin-cum-hip thing that’s been bothering him.

“It’s likely to be a case of him playing tomorrow and then us resting him next week to get it clear.”

Craig felt enforced changes cost his side when they suffered a first league defeat of the campaign against Motherwell last weekend and knows coping better this time out is a must.

“What hurt us was that in Morgaro and Scott we lost two players in the same area. Losing last week, though, makes this a big game for us and we know this is a big game anyway.

“They are still looking for their first win in the league, but, the way they’ve been playing, they should have won a couple of their games so far. They’ve been good, and that was shown by their result in the cup on Tuesday, because not many teams go to Hibs and win by two goals.”

Boosted by their Easter Road success, Saints boss Derek McInnes is relishing a meeting against his old club and turning good play into points.

“It’s a derby and, as well as the management and players looking forward to the match, so are the supporters,” he said.

“We’ve been the better side in the majority of the games we’ve played and our performances have been really pleasing.

“If we play like we have been, I hope we get the right result. We’re boosted by our cup victory over Hibs and it’s important we get the win.

“United are a good, established top-six side, who have ambitions of doing even better, and they have more experienced players at this level.”

Martin Hardie is back in the squad after missing the Hibs game due to injury and Stuart McCaffrey could return to the starting line-up after dropping to the bench on Tuesday because of a head knock.

Tomorrow’s game is not all-ticket and United fans have been allocated the two stands behind the goals at McDiarmid.