Dundee boss Paul Hartley has revealed that new signing Darren O’Dea would not have been eligible to play if Saturday’s William Hill Scottish Cup tie against Falkirk had gone ahead as planned.
The game was called off due to a waterlogged pitch after a 10am inspection and the match will now take place tomorrow night with a 7.45pm kick-off.
The Dark Blues manager admitted after O’Dea had formally signed last Thursday that he was still weighing up whether to hand the former Celtic defender his debut as it had been a few weeks since he had last played for Mumbai City in India.
However, that decision was ultimately taken out of his hands.
Hartley said: “The international clearance had not arrived so we could not play Darren.
“It was disappointing so fingers crossed we receive it before the game on Tuesday.”
O’Dea was brought in as a direct replacement for James McPake who is recovering from a season-ending kneecap fracture sustained in the derby with United last week.
And Hartley revealed that the Irish centre-half may not be the last of the new arrivals in the January transfer window.
He said: “We are looking to bring in one or two more, if possible.
“We are always trying to make the squad stronger but they will have to be the right fit.
“But we are definitely looking at targets.”
Another “new” addition to Hartley’s roster is Craig Wighton who has returned to Dens following the end of his loan spell at Raith Rovers.
The teenager played 21 times for the Championship side and the Dundee boss is now looking for the striker to use that experience and finally establish himself in the first team at Dens.
Hartley added: “It is good to have Craig back.
“He was in the squad for the Falkirk game and it is up to him now to fight for his place in the team.”