Nicky Riley’s injury comeback looks like being delayed

The chances of Nicky Riley making his Dundee comeback at the weekend have receded.

He completed two full days’ training earlier this week, after spending more than a month on the sidelines with hamstring problems. But Dens Parks boss Barry Smith reported that the winger has suffered a minor setback.

The best Riley could have hoped for would have been a place on the bench for the trip to face Queen of the South on Saturday, but that would now appear to be highly unlikely.

Smith is thinking long not short term, however.

He explained: ”Nicky’s stepped up his work over the last few days and he’s feeling a bit tight. I have to say that I’m not hopeful as far as this Saturday goes.

”I’ve said all along that I don’t want to push him too hard and too fast. From our point of view it will be better to wait another week until he’s ready rather than push him and risk missing him for another four or five.”

Smith travelled to Dumfries to check out Saturday’s position in their Scottish Cup defeat to Aberdeen.