“It looks like we are going to be without him for four to six weeks, so that’s a real disappointment from an otherwise very good night,” said Craig.

“It’s a blow because he has just got his place back in the team and I thought he played very well down at Kilmarnock at the weekend.”

Kenneth apart, the 3-1 friendly win was all about pluses for Craig and he was happy to see Scott Robertson, Jon Daly, Keith Watson and Kevin Smith return from serious and lengthy injury absences.

“I am very pleased they all managed part of the game and came through OK. It was great to see Jon get a goal, but, for me, the best sight was seeing Watson back in action.

“You are talking three years now that he has been fighting injury on and off, and while he still has a way to go, he’s been working very hard to get back.”

And although he is a veteran of Edinburgh derbies as both manager and player, Craig admitted he found his first experience of an all-Tannadice Street clash enjoyable.

“I loved it and I thought the atmosphere was great. It was a very decent turnout for a friendly and it was the kind of occasion that makes you want more.

“I want to see Dundee back up in the SPL so we can have more of these — particularly if we are winning them.”

That’s left the club confident the whole lot will be gone well in advance of the trip to McDiarmid Park on November 22 and supporters are being urged to get their tickets quickly to avoid disappointment.

Dundee were also pleased with the size of the support they took over the road to Tannadice for last night’s friendly derby.

Only 1000 or so tickets were sold, but with many more fans taking advantage of cash turnstiles, the away support was closer to 3000 by kick-off time.

And although his team went down 3-1 to their city rivals, boss Jocky Scott felt they played some good football.

“In terms of performance, I was pleased and thought the boys gave a good account of themselves, but the result was disappointing,” he said.

“We played an U/19 defence for the last half-hour and that was a big ask, but we were looking at the bigger picture and that was making sure people were fit and fresh for Queen of the South on Saturday.”

Gary MacKenzie, missing last night after falling ill with flu at the weekend, is expected to be back for that top-of-the-table clash.

And although Derek Soutar was in goal against United and pulled off a string of fine saves, Rab Douglas will be back between the sticks at the weekend.

Stuart McCaffrey, a contender to take Gartland’s place, has been suffering a groin injury, but is likely to restart training tomorrow, although an ankle injury is sidelining Steven Milne.

Despite suffering hip and knee knocks lately, Collin Samuel is in full training.

“Collin is a tough, brave boy, who takes a lot of hits, but he is feeling better and has done all the training this week so far,” said Derek.