Midfielder Stewart Murdoch could get Development League action early next week in a bid to get him ready for Dundee United’s big Championship clash with Hibs.
Murdoch has not started a first-team game since damaging knee ligaments in the Betfred Cup quarter-final defeat at Morton back in September.
He has been back in training for a couple of weeks or so, however, and came on for the last few minutes of the Irn-Bru Cup win at Dunfermline earlier this month.
Gaffer Ray McKinnon would like to have him involved when the Hibees visit Tannadice on Friday but knows he needs more game time.
That’s why he might give the 26-year-old a run-out when the youths head for Dunfermline on Tuesday afternoon.
“Murdo has worked very hard to get back fit and it’s a boost to have him available again,” said Ray.
“But he could do with a game and that’s why I’m thinking about giving him at least part of the Development game next week.”
Even if he plays against the Pars, it looks unlikely Murdoch will be considered for a starting place in the Hibs game but he could have a role to play coming off the bench.
Another recent absentee, Lewis Toshney, is pushing hard for inclusion from the start again.
After recovering from damaged ankle ligaments, Toshney got 87 minutes of that Irn-Bru win at East End Park.
He then came on for the last half-hour or so of last Saturday’s goalless draw at Morton.
He impressed on both occasions and may make the XI that lines up against the league leaders.
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