Dundee United manager Jackie McNamara fears the League Cup clash against Partick Thistle will come too soon for Gary Mackay-Steven.
The winger sat out Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Motherwell because of a groin injury and looks likely to lose his race against time.
“It does probably look like it will come too early for him and the best-case scenario is that it will be touch and go,” said McNamara.
United will have central defender Gavin Gunning available, with the third part of his three-match suspension having to be served in the league against Hearts at Tynecastle on Saturdayrather than against the Jags in the cup on Wednesday night.
That does not necessarily mean the United gaffer will change the make-up of his defence though.
He said: “Gavin is available but we will see if we decide to change things or not. We made a few changes when we played Dumbarton in the last round but, no disrespect to them, this is a harder game and we are aware of that.”
Thistle, like United, took part in a highly-entertaining scoring draw at the weekend, finishing all square with Kilmarnock at Firhill on Saturday.
The reports from that one were extremely positive for Thistle, who have done themselves proud as Premiership new boys this season.
McNamara, commenting on his old club, added: “I think everyone is sitting up and taking notice of how they play.
“However, it doesn’t surprise me to see them doing so well. I knew they would come into the league and do well because they play good football. They push their full-backs forward, have great energy and they like to pass the ball at all times.”
Of course, you could also be describing United in the second-half on Sunday with those words and McNamara is hoping for strong backing from the home support at what should be a Tannadice thriller.
McNamara said: “You saw the 0-0 game on the opening day of the season and that was as exciting a goalless draw as you’ll get. This is a cup-tie and someone has to win it on the night.”
There will be reduced admission prices for all areas of the stadium for the cup-tie. Adults will pay £15, concessions £7 and under-12s will get in for a fiver.