The derby door has been left open for Dundee United goalkeeper Rado Cierzniak.
The Polish shot-stopper suffered a rib injury during the Tangerines’ 3-0 loss to Inverness Caley Thistle on Saturday and hobbled off with just four minutes to go.
It seemed that would be the last United fans would see of their out-of-contract goalie, with Cierzniak expected to head to pastures new in the summer.
However, he would still appear to have a fighting chance of waving goodbye to the home fans when United host Dundee at Tannadice on Sunday.
Assistant boss Simon Donnelly said: “It was a sore one for Rado and we will just have to gauge how the injury is as the week goes on.
“He took a blow to the ribs, which can be quite painful.
“The doctor seemed to be happy with it after the game in terms of the level of damage.
“However, you can really only know the extent of the problem two or three days after it has happened.
“We need to assess the amount of pain he is in.
“The positive thing is that his breathing was fine after the game.
“So it might not be as bad as we feared at the time because when you see your keeper coming off you are worried.
“He wants to play on Sunday and for Rado, if he is going to move on, then it would be his last game for the club.
“It’s a derby so everyone wants to be involved and he is no different to all the other players in that regard so we will give him as much time as possible to recover.”
United, who also have Calum Butcher doubtful because of a thigh injury, are hoping to finish the season on a high against the Dark Blues.
If they better St Johnstone’s result at Aberdeen and Inverness then win the Scottish Cup then that would mean a return of European football to Tannadice next season.
Donnelly said: “It is a good game to have and I think the fans will be up for it, as will the players and ourselves.
“We can send the supporters away for the summer in a good frame of mind.
“We still have fourth spot to play for and then we will see where we stand after the Scottish Cup final.
“First and foremost, we want to win the game.
“We are desperate to win it on the back what was a disappointment at the weekend.
“Dundee have had a decent season, coming back into the Premiership.
“Paul (Hartley) has had to reassemble the squad there and they have gotten into the top six, which is success for them.
“They are looking to build on that next year and, from our point of view, it’s great to have them in the league.
“I think the people of Dundee look forward to these matches and need the rivalry. It’s good for both clubs.”
The plaudits went to the Dens men last time around when they deservedly beat United 3-1.
Donnelly believes that loss will be a distant memory if the Tangerines can regain the bragging rights.
“We had a disappointment at Dens the last time but we had done really well against them before that,” he said.
“That defeat came in the middle of a poor run for us but you are only as good as your last game and if we send our punters away for the summer on the back of a win over their rivals then that Dens result will be forgotten about.”