That’s why Gomis believes every player is on his toes in every training session and every game.

The Tangerines’ pre-season build-up continues down in England tomorrow with a tough friendly against Hull City.

And missing from the line-up are guaranteed to be several big-name players — simply because there is not room for them all.

“When you look around at training, you see so many good players it is frightening, but it is also very good because you know you can always have a strong team,” said Gomis.

“We have so many good players that I do not believe there is a single one of us who can say he will definitely be in the team.

“Everyone knows they have to play well to stay and that is a good thing. If you don’t, someone else can come in and do very well.

“If the whole team did not play well in a game, the gaffer could change all of us and still put out a very strong side that could win the next game.”

With, so far at least, only Andy Webster moving on from the squad that lifted the Scottish Cup in May, Gomis reckons competition will be stronger this term.

In his area, with the likes of Jennison Myrie-Williams having a strong build-up, youngster Ryan Dow pushing hard and Scott Robertson fit to be considered for a starting role, the battle is particularly tough.

Robertson’s return has seen him pushed wide, but, so long as he is starting, that will not be a problem.

“I just want to play and do well, whether I am in the middle or outside does not concern me,” he added.

“I am happy to see Scott back because he had a hard time with his injury last season.

“He is a very good player and having him fit can only be a good thing.”

If there is one area where United look a little short when it comes to numbers it has been in central defence, but Gomis admits he likes the look of trialist Irmantas Zelmikas.

“He has done well for us in the games he has played so far and he has also looked good in training.

“If he stays, I think he will do a good job.”

A good display at the KC Stadium should cement a permanent deal for the Lithuanian and, while he accepts this is going to be a step up in quality of opposition, Gomis feels United are ready.

“Our pre-season has been good and I thought we played very well at Raith Rovers.

“We have been working hard to be fit and, now the season is getting closer, we are looking to start playing well, too.”

But the big Irish striker has resumed training and was with the squad again when they reported for a light session this afternoon before flying down to Humberside this evening.

“It’s only been a minor problem and he looks fine now, so we’re taking him and he should be involved,” said boss Peter Houston.

Lithuanian centre-half Irmantas Zelmikas will start again and after this game a decision on his future will be made.

“It’s not a case of things resting on how he does against Hull and I’ll be keeping in mind what he’s done in other games, but this is a chance to see him against high-quality opposition,” added Houstie.

Notable absentees from the flight south were Danny Swanson and Craig Conway.

Swanson is still not full recovered from an Achilles problem, but is back running and Conway has a groin strain.

On the subject of Conway, despite their signing of Estonian left-winger Tarmo Kink for over £500,000 a move by Middlesbrough to get United’s wide man has not been completely ruled out.

Apart from the initial official note of interest from the north-east club, which was registered almost a fortnight ago, there has been no further contact.

It’s been a case of no news is good news, but Houstie does recognise it’s been an unsettling time for the player.

“I want to keep him, but this has to have been distracting for him.

“One thing I can assure everyone of is the only reason he’s not playing at Hull is injury and nothing else.”

Two United youths have gone out on loan.

Dale Hilson has moved to Forfar for a month and Ryan McCord is at Airdrie until the end of the year.

He’s been with them in Northern Ireland this week and played for an hour against Lisburn Distillery on Tuesday.

He was due to fly back with the Perth men today, but Dundee booked a flight for him last night so he could train with his new team-mates this morning.

And that’s put him in line for a run out against the Gable Endies.

“He’s fit enough to play and he’s definitely in the squad for tomorrow and has a good chance of being involved,” said boss Gordon Chisholm.

Adams is no stranger to Chis, having played under him during a couple of loan spell at Queen of the South over the last three years.

He’s set to be the only new face on the park, though midweek trialist Rhys Weston will be watching from the stand and indications remain strong that he’ll be fixed up on a contract next week.

And discussions with Blackburn Rovers over Northern Irishman Johnny Flynn are also still a work in progress.

Those possible deals have been put on the back burner until tomorrow’s tie has been taken care of and, after needing two goals in the final four minutes to better Alloa in the Challenge Cup last week, Chis is taking nothing for granted.

“It’s another game where it’s going to be all about how we approach it.

“If we go about things the right way we can win, but if our heads are not right it will be a struggle.

“With Montrose, there are a lot of boys who are from this area or have been with Dundee, so that will add something extra.”

Mickael Antoine-Curier, who returned home to France after his father suffered a stroke, is likely to be back at Dens early next week.

“Jim taught me so many good habits which have served me well in the game,” said Alan, who hopes to stay in football as a player now that a nasty thumb injury he picked up late last season has cleared up.

“I could have stayed at United, but moved to Saints for regular first-team football. Paul brought me to McDiarmid Park and was a huge influence on me.

“And there are team-mates I’ve looked up to.

“At United for example, the dressing-room was full of international players.”

Alan won two First Division titles with Saints, one under Paul, the other under Derek McInnes, and little did he realise when he was a raw teenager playing in the Highland League for his native Lossiemouth and then Elgin just how good a career he would have.

“Winning two league championship medals was great, so was getting to a League Cup Final with Saints and playing against a star-studded Monaco side in the UEFA Cup.

“Now I’m looking forward to another big day tomorrow.”

Alan has been coaching young Rangers goalies for a while and will continue working with keepers at Ibrox ranging from U/10s to U/17s.

And he can be a massive influence on them, just as Jim McLean and Paul Sturrock have been on him.

Saints flew back from Northern Ireland today after their two-match trip there saw them emerge unbeaten. They followed up a 1-0 win over Distillery with a scoreless divide against Dungannon Swifts.

Their trialist goalkeeper was Lubos Hajduch, capped five times by Slovakia and presently with Greeks Levadiakos.

Saints are also being crediited with an interest in keeper Mark Brown of Hibs whose previous clubs include both halves of the Old Firm, Inverness CT and Motherwell.

Stuart McCaffrey has left for Morton, and Derek said, “I wish Stuart all he best. He played a huge part in getting us promoted to the SPL and served the club well.”

Striker Stephen Reynolds has been named in the Scotland U/19 squad to face Malta next month.