Dundee manager Barry Smith looks likely to keep the reins on Nicky Riley for the player’s own good.
Smith would love to have a fit Riley available for Saturday’s trip to Livingston and the winger himself is desperate to get playing again.
However, having had an injection in his back earlier this week Smith looks set to err on the side of caution when it comes to the wide man.
”Different people cope with injections in different ways,” said Dens boss Smith. ”An optimist, as I am, would have thought he might be back for Saturday’s game.
”He is the kind of boy who wants to play and if asked the question he would say yes. But we need to think about what is best for him in the long term. For example, he could play on Saturday and then be out for the rest of the season.”
Smith will be pitting his wits against new Livi gaffer John Hughes and he is glad to see both him and director of football John Collins return to the fold.
”I am glad to see the two of them back in football,” said Smith. ”Yogi will put his own stamp on the Livingston team.
”I know how he did things at Falkirk and I am sure it will be the same at Livi. He brings plenty of experience and John Collins is there as well. We just have to make sure we do the business when we go there. We have a job to do on Saturday and we must make sure we do it well.”
Likely to be involved is new trialist Kevin McBride.
”Kevin was in training with the boys with a view to being available for Saturday,” said Smith.
However, former Scotland midfielder Nigel Quashie won’t be pulling on the dark blue of Dundee.
”Nigel won’t be coming here for family reasons and that’s fair enough,” said Smith. ”The deal was agreed with his agent but personal reasons mean he has decided to stay in England.”