Dundee boss Paul Hartley has explained his reasoning behind leaving Thomas Konrad out of his starting line-up in recent weeks.
The German summer signing had been a regular fixture in the team for most of this season.
His last start was in the New Year’s Day derby defeat at Tannadice but Hartley insists the defender was simply needing a rest as he fully adjusted to the demands of the Scottish game.
He said: “I think Thomas needed a wee break with a couple of games out.
“In the main, he has done really well but I just felt he needed taken out of the team, to be fresh again and ready to go when he is required.
“Back in Germany he would have had a winter break but it is different in Scotland.
“You never seem to get a rest, you are always training or playing.
“There isn’t that period between Christmas and New Year where you get three to four weeks off.”
Since that derby defeat, Dundee have gone five matches unbeaten.
They won again last weekend, coming back from a goal down against St Mirren to take all three points.
That’s the first time they have accomplished such a feat since September, 2013 when they went behind against Morton at Dens but then scored three goals to secure victory.
Hartley added: “It has been a long time since we came from behind like that but I think it showed the players’ character and resilience.
“We didn’t produce a great performance in the first half but the three points were vital for us.”