Dundee United manager Jackie McNamara doesn’t have his injury troubles to seek ahead of the big match against Aberdeen.
Central defender Jarek Fojut. right-back Keith Watson, frontman Aidan Connolly and midfield duo Calum Butcher and Chris Erskine are all receiving treatment for a variety of knocks and strains.
When you factor in long-term absentee Mario Bilate, that’s a good half-a-dozen first-team men who are either doubtful or ruled out.
It is not exactly the ideal way to prepare for one of the biggest matches of the season at Tannadice.
McNamara said: “We are still waiting on a few of the boys who have picked up tweaks and aches.
“They are feeling either their hamstrings or ankles. The list is Butcher, Connolly, Watson, Erskine and Fojut.
“We will give them all until the last minute to prove their fitness.
“It is quite a number but it’s part and parcel of football and that’s why you have a squad.
“That is also why we have used nearly everybody in the last month or so in a bid to keep everyone fresh.
“For when situations like this come around, especially with so many big games coming up over the next month, we want to be ready for it.
“Aberdeen at home is always a game to look forward to and I think it’s going to be a sell-out.
“They are in good form just now and they, too, will be looking forward to the game.
“I think it’s a great fixture.
“They had the upper hand last year, although we managed to come out on top in the one game we have played them this campaign.”
That was the 3-0 victory at Pittodrie on the opening day of the Premiership season, when goals from Ryan Dow, Gary Mackay-STeven and Chris Erskine raised a few eyebrows across Scottish football.
However, McNamara said: “I don’t think that result will have any bearing on this match.
“I don’t think they will be coming here looking for revenge. I don’t think that comes into it.
“They’ll be wanting to win the match for obvious reasons, which is to jump back on level terms with us.
“But it would be good for us to try and win it as well to get a little gap between us and them.
“It is an important one for us. If we could open up a six-point gap on Aberdeen that would be great.
“It would give us a real lift.
“We need to be careful of them but, as I have said all along, I am more concerned about what we do rather than the opposition.
“They scored three goals last week against Hamilton but so did we against Ross County.
“We look as though we are back creating chances again which is important.
“They’ll be in good form and will be coming here thinking they can win the match.
“But we think we can win it as well.”