Almost as quickly, though, the Dark Blues gaffer added his view that SPL chairmen would not be voting for it any time in the near future.

“I think it makes common sense and it is something I’ve been pushing for for a long time, but that doesn’t mean it is going to happen,” he said.

“I welcome his comments in as much as he is maybe considering suggesting an expansion to the Premier League, that we should have a bigger league and, if we don’t, maybe a play-off instead.

“From what I’ve been told, though, and knowing the way Premier League chairmen act, there is no way I can see it happening in the near future. This season only the team that wins the First Division is going to be going up.”

Jocky knows the chances of that team being his will be greatly enhanced if they can beat Inverness Caley at Dens on Saturday and he is hopeful of having a big squad to choose from.

Richie Hart was back in training today after being sidelined by the mixture of tight hamstrings and illness over the last week or so and long-term absentees Craig McKeown and Sean Higgins will be in the squad.

“For McKeown and Higgins, a lack of games is the problem, but they have both been training well for three weeks now and there comes a stage where I have to feel they can come into the equation.

“The way the weather’s been, there is going to be a lot of players around the country who are lacking match practice, so, in that respect, they will be no different from others.”

Meanwhile, local charities are set to benefit from a new Player of the Month award launched by supporters’ trust Dee 4 Life. Each month, 30 fans will be randomly selected from the Bobby Cox, South Enclosure and the main stands and given a card to vote on a game-by-game basis.

The winning player will pick up a special certificate, while the 30 voters will enter in a draw with the winner being photographed with the player. And, rather than presenting the winner with a trophy, a donation will be made on his behalf to the charity of his choice.

“We are actively working on ways in which we can help bring our football club and the community closer together, and we feel this latest initiative is a prime example of how we’re trying to achieve that aim,” said the trust’s Mike Jeffries.

To help fund the venture, Dee 4 Life are seeking sponsorship from local businesses.