Dundee United will again be without injured pair Simon Murray and Paul Dixon when they head for Fife to face Raith Rovers on Saturday.
Manager Ray McKinnon is keen to have both back for the Christmas programme but, while they could be available for the Christmas Eve clash with St Mirren at Tannadice, the Stark’s Park trip will come too soon for them.
Striker Murray put himself in the frame for a starting place at Ayr last weekend after he came on in the top-of-the-table win over Hibs and earned the penalty that handed the Tangerines a crucial victory.
However, a knee injury suffered against the Hibees scuppered plans for any Somerset Park involvement.
And the 24-year-old is still not back training with the rest of the squad, something that’s not going to change for the rest of this week at least.
Full-back Dixon has been sidelined since damaging knee ligaments in the victory at Queen of the South early last month.
He’s now missed the last five games and, while it had been hoped the 30-year-old would return around now, he will not be rushed back into action.
The big consolation in Dixon’s absence has been the form of teenager Jamie Robson.
His performances since stepping in for “Dicker” have attracted attention from the likes of Southampton and so long as he’s needed, United know he will be an able deputy.
A busy week for United’s Development squad kicks off tomorrow with a long trip north to face Ross County in Dingwall.
After that one, the youngsters will have just 48 hours to recover before facing city rivals Dundee at Links Park, Montrose on Friday afternoon.
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