Dundee boss Paul Hartley has received a big boost ahead of tomorrow’s game with Kilmarnock following the news that James McPake is back in contention after recovering from a jaw injury.
The former Hibs defender’s return is even more welcome as the Dark Blues will be without centre-half Julen Etxabeguren against Gary Locke’s side.
The Spaniard damaged his ankle against Hamilton last week but Hartley revealed the injury may not be as bad as first feared.
He said: “Julen’s ankle has settled down but we are not going to scan it until it has really settled probably at the start of next week.
“It is much better but he is looking at two to three weeks out.
“He just got caught and went over it hurting the ankle ligaments.
“It is still sore but we thought it might have been worse so we will see how he is over the next couple of days.
“Kane Hemmings picked up a knock in training last Thursday and missed the Hamilton game but he has trained all week and is OK.
“Paul McGowan has also been back training this week.
“Kevin Thomson tweaked his medial ligament against Motherwell and is probably another couple of weeks away but James McPake has trained all week.
“He will be in contention for Saturday and has looked really good so we are getting there.”
The visit of Kilmarnock will rekindle memories of Dundee’s opening-day masterclass at Rugby Park when the Dark Blues ran riot against Locke’s side who were ultimately flattered by the 4-0 losing scoreline.
Hartley admitted that performance was one of the best of his tenure at Dens although he has cautioned it will be a very different Killie outfit his team will face this weekend.
He said: “They have picked up good results.
“The personnel has changed a little bit since the first game we played them.
“They had a fine result last weekend against a really good Inverness team so it will be a tough match.
“I think it (first game of the season) was definitely one of the best performances we have had since we came here.
“Everything went for us that day. We played really well and if we can put that performance on again, then hopefully we can get a positive result.
“However, we know we are facing a different Kilmarnock side and it will be a tough match for us.”
One of the reasons for Killie’s resurgence has been the goal-scoring form of Josh Magennis who has netted five times in his last seven games.
He is someone Hartley knows from their days at Aberdeen together and he believes the striker is benefitting from being part of Michael O’Neill’s Northern Ireland side that have qualified for next year’s European Championships.
The manager added: “Magennis was a youngster when I was at Aberdeen. He came from Cardiff and I think he actually started as a goalkeeper.
“He was raw but he seems to have hit a rich vein of form.
“I think Northern Ireland qualifying for the European Championships has definitely helped his confidence.
“He is doing very well just now and he is a player we must watch.
“He seems to have improved with age. He has had a few positions but he looks more at home as a No.9.
“He is definitely a threat for them.”