Full-back Malone believes his arrival can only boost what’s already an impressive drive for promotion.

“I think we’re all pleased to have him back, because he is a good player and you are always pleased when boys with ability join,” said Malone.

“He did well for us last season and I’m expecting him to do the same again. It should be easier for him, because he is coming to a more settled team this time.

“When he came before, we were on a bit of a downer and it says a lot for him that he did well, but, this time, he is coming into a team that’s going well and that has to be a help.”

And Malone’s aim is to ensure Dundee are still going strong after tomorrow’s clash — the second week running they’ll have faced the team in second spot.

“If we can get the points, it will be another good win for us. Nothing is going to be decided by this result, whatever happens, but it’s obvious you want to do well against your rivals.

“Last week, we got a good point at Queen of the South and, if we can get three in this one, it would be great.”

A home win would mean that, even if County won their games in hand, they would still be trailing the Dens men, though Malone admits he pays little attention to such stats.

“I do know that, if they beat us and then kept winning, they would be able to go top, but I don’t think about stuff like that.

“What we have to do is keep concentrating on our own game and, if we do that and are winning, we will stay top, it’s that simple.”

Boss Jocky Scott has also set his sights on three points and, while he concedes his team have not been at their best in recent weeks, he has praised his players for continuing to pick up points.

“We’ve been down to picking from 16 or 17 bodies, because of injuries and suspension, but the players have kept grinding out the results and that’s to their credit,” he said.

“Tomorrow, we are against the team who are our main rivals just now and they’ll be on a high because they’ve had some good results.

“We are at home, though, and we want to increase our advantage, so we will be looking for a win.”

Centre-half Gary MacKenzie completes his three-game ban this weekend and will be available for next week’s cup game against Ayr.

And, while he’s saluted Hibs’ achievement in securing that Parkhead success, Daly is determined to see his team above them again as soon as possible.

“Wednesday was funny, because I think when you are 2-0 down and you come back and earn a point you have to be happy,“ he said.

“If you’ve gone 3-2 up, though, you want to hold on to the lead, but we only did that for a couple of minutes and that was disappointing.

“Then we came off and heard the other results. You don’t expect Hibs to go to Celtic Park and take three points, but fair play to them and it made our point not good enough.

“That means our aim has to be to go to Kilmarnock and get three to get us back in the race for third spot.”

Unlike Wednesday, when they were caught cold by two early Saints goals, the big Dubliner has promised United will come out of the starting blocks quickly at Rugby Park.

“I think you have to give credit to St Johnstone, because they came to Tannadice with a game plan, got in our faces and did to us what we normally do to other teams.

“That’s what we’ll aim to do at Kilmarnock, because our game is built on working hard and then that bit of quality that means we can keep the ball comes into play.

“Killie are a good, physical side and I think they are in a false league position right now, but it is up to us to do what we are good at.”

Meanwhile, Peter Houston was surprised, but still delighted, to be confirmed as manager until the end of the season at least.

Recent good results made it almost inevitable that he would be asked to continue to take the team, though he had not been taking anything for granted.

“It came out of the blue a bit, because I didn’t think I was meeting the chairman until Monday, but he saw me yesterday afternoon and we settled things there and then,” he said.

“I’m pleased, because that’s the thing put to bed now. It was becoming a distraction and now we can get on with what’s most important — trying to make sure we improve on last season.”

With that in mind, Peter has urged the players to kick on in their bid for a European place.

“They’ve found form over the last few games and they have to maintain it. It won’t be easy at Killie, because they are fighting for their lives.

“I saw them at Hamilton and they battled very hard to get their point. It’ll be the same tomorrow, but, if we want to finish high, we have to look at this as an opportunity to pick up more points.”

On the fitness front, Andy Webster’s chances of returning from a calf injury look increasingly doubtful, while a couple of others will have to play through the pain barrier.

Graeme wasn’t in goal when Saints drew 2-2 at home to Hearts earlier in the season, but was when they won 2-1 at Tynecastle on November 21.

“We did well against Hearts that day and are aiming for a repeat. We want our first home win of 2010,” he said.

Manager Derek McInnes is asking for the same commitment his players gave against United as they look to get back on the winning track against the Jambos.

The Tynecastle Park outfit lost 3-0 at home to Aberdeen on Wednesday and Derek went on, “They’re coming off a bad result, so we need to be aware of a backlash.”

Saints are hoping their illness and injury worries clear in time for the match.

Murray Davidson has been laid low by illness, Jody Morris is bothered by a pelvic injury and Liam Craig is having hamstring bother. They will be given every chance of proving their fitness.

Graham Gartland is, available after missing the United game due to suspension.