It’s understood he took ill while back in Guadaloupe, for whom Antoine-Curier plays at international level and where the family’s roots lie.

So serious was his condition that, after being taken to hospital there, he was then flown from the Caribbean Island back to France by air ambulance.

And, so far as Dundee are concerned, this is a situation where football has to take second place, so it looks unlikely he’ll be ordered to return for the weekend.

“The main thing is how his father is doing and, from the sound of it, he’s been through a lot — I know he’s still in intensive care,” said Dens boss Gordon Chisholm.

“I’ve been speaking to big Mickael and I’ve not decided about him for Saturday yet, but he’s not been training and I don’t know that mentally he’d be in any condition to play.

“I’ll be on to him again and we’ll take things from there, but he has to be a big doubt.”

Also on the manager’s agenda today was talks with the trialists who impressed in the 4-1 friendly win at Forfar on Tuesday night.

Of the quartet, Blackburn centre-half Johnny Flynn is definitely one he’d like to add to his squad, though that could take time.

“He was only supposed to be here for a week, but stayed on so we could watch him in the game on Tuesday,” explained Chis.

“He’s gone back to down to Blackburn now and I’m speaking to them and his agent to see what can be done.”

Fellow-centre-half Rhys Weston is another who is likely to be offered terms, and not lost on Chis was how well he fitted in despite not meeting the rest of the team for the first time until just 90 minutes before kick-off at Station Park.

Former QOS utility man Ryan McCann continues to train with the Dark Blues, but the options already available in midfield mean he’s unlikely to get a deal.

“I thought Ryan did well, but we do have plenty of cover in his area and, right now, we’ll just be continuing to give him the chance to get himself fit.”

Ex-Kaiser Chiefs defender Gordon Gilbert has not done enough to earn a deal and will be allowed to leave.

As a result, Dee fans will have to wait a little longer to find out exactly who they’ll be cheering on next season, but, according to Paton, that doesn’t mean the search isn’t going well.

“Getting a settled back four is obviously pretty high on the agenda just now,” he said.

“We do have a shortage of players at the back. We’re asking Craig Forsyth to play at left-back, which is maybe not where he’s most effective. “We’ve had plenty of guys in, though, and the gaffer’s being thorough about it. There’s no point signing people just for the sake of it. They’ve got to be able to do the job.”

There definitely seems to have been something of a revolving door for trialists at Dens this summer, but, far from being concerned by it, Eric is taking everything in his stride.

“Obviously, it’s a bit strange playing alongside boys you’ve never met before, never mind never played with,” he said.

“But these things happen every summer. I think the lads that came in on Tuesday did really well, all things considered.

“Rhys arrived only an hour before the game, so for him to come in and do well was impressive.

“The only real problem is communication when you’ve got trialists in. Having never played with the boys before can make things difficult, but you just get on with it. I don’t think we let Forfar create much on Tuesday, so I’m happy with how it went.”

“You’ve got to remember there’s also Dominic Shimmin to come back, Gary Irvine and myself, so all in all, I think we’ll be OK and whoever the manager brings in will definitely be the right men for the job.”

While he was eventually able to make his way from the pitch with assistance, it’s understood the injury will result in a two-week lay-off at the very least, leaving him facing a race against time to be fit for United’s season-opener against St Mirren on August 14.

Boss Peter Houston said the player was “absolutely devastated” by his latest injury blow and had been raring to get his Tannadice career on track after barely kicking a ball last season.

“The boy was in tears when he went down, so he obviously knew he’d hurt himself,” said Houstie.

“It’s a blow for him because he’d been working so hard to be involved this season.

“He’s had a terrible time with injuries, so to pick this one up now is unfortunate.

“You never know with hamstring injuries what the lay-off’s going to be so we’ll keep an eye on him, but it’s at least two weeks. He’s absolutely devastated.”

For United fans, too, Sandaza’s latest injury will be a bitter disappointment. Opportunities to see the 25-year-old striker in action have been limited since his arrival from Valencia in 2008.

A promising first season at Tannadice in which he netted 10 goals, despite a festive-period injury, whetted their appetites, but a groin problem picked up the following pre-season meant he made only a handful of appearances towards the end of last term.

Houstie described the 2-2 draw with Livingston as a “great workout”. A mix of youth and first-team players were tested by the Second Division side.

“The result wasn’t important,” said Houstie. “It was more important to get a few of the boys 90 minutes, and I’m delighted with the way Darren Dods, Damian Casalinuovo and Jeno Myrie-Williams came through, in particular.

“It was a great workout. I was delighted with our application and effort.”

“We think Murray will be OK, but we’ll see how he is,” said boss Derek McInnes.