Dundee boss Paul Hartley is resigned to being without striker Rory Loy for tomorrow’s crunch clash with Hamilton.
The Dark Blues know that a win over Accies will be enough to secure a top six finish for the second season in succession.
However, it looks likely that they will have to attempt to do so without Loy, who had to be withdrawn just after the hour mark of Tuesday night’s draw at Dens with Celtic.
Hartley said: “Rory is an extreme doubt so he’s struggling. He’s going for a scan on Friday. It’s more of a precaution.
“He’s just been caught a bit higher up on his ankle, on the side.
“He’s feeling a little bit better, but he’s a major doubt for Hamilton unless there’s a major recovery.
“I can’t see it, though, so he’ll go for a scan to make sure there’s nothing seriously wrong.”
While Loy is a major doubt for the Hamilton game, Kane Hemmings who had to come off at half-time against Celtic with a dead leg should be OK for the trip to Hamilton and there is further good news on two others.
The manager added: “Hemmings is better and hopefully he will train on Friday.
“It was just a dead leg. He was a doubt before the game with Celtic.
“We thought he’d be OK but he just couldn’t shake if off.
“He got it in the game against County.
“Paul McGinn and Nicky Low are back in training so we’ll see how they are with a view to making the squad.”
With the Premiership being so tight, there are almost endless permutations over who will eventually finish in or out of the top six once the dust settles on Saturday evening.
Dundee do know that if they take all three points at Hamilton, they will be in the top half after the split and Hartley is certain that will have a bearing on his budget and who he can recruit for next season.
He said: “It definitely does matter to help bring in the quality of player we want.
“It has its advantages being in the top six, in terms of who you play at home, and the more money you get with crowds.
“The extra finance can then lead to an increased budget for the playing squad for next season.
“I would probably say we’re looking to bring in one or two more players on top of already bringing in the Inverness lads.”
Hartley added: “We have to win the game and can’t think about anything else. It’s in our own hands.
“Other things can happen but the important thing is we go there and aim to get the three points.
“If we can do so, then hopefully the rest will take care of itself.
“There are a few teams who can go in and a few who can drop out.
“Everybody has spoken about the split some if favour and others against but we’re into the last game now and there’s still everything to play for at the top, middle and bottom.
“Every single team is fighting for something which hasn’t happened for a long time.”