Dundee United star Gary Mackay-Steven is facing a race against time to be fit to face St Johnstone.
The Tannadice winger has returned to training with his club at their St Andrews base, where it was confirmed that he picked up a hamstring injury while away with the Scotland squad in Serbia.
Mackay-Steven would have missed the crucial clash at McDiarmid Park had it been scheduled for Saturday. However, the fact the match is not being played until Monday night will give him a chance.
United boss Jackie McNamara said: “Gary is still a bit tight. It is just a good thing that the game is Monday night and not the weekend as it gives him some extra recovery time.
“If it had been Saturday I think he would have been struggling to make it. We are hoping he can make it, although you are never fully confident in this situation.
“He hurt it in training so pulled out of Tuesday night’s match, although he still travelled with the squad.
“Mind you, when you looked at the state of the pitch in Serbia, it was maybe a blessing that it happened in training and he didn’t feature in the game.”
The good news was that midfielder Stuart Armstrong got through his international stint with the under-21 team against Luxembourg unscathed.
“Stuart came back okay,” said McNamara. “By all accounts, he did really well again in the game (the Scots won 3-0) so I’m delighted with him.
“There is always a concern when players go away with Scotland, especially when there are crucial games coming up, but Stuart is fine.”
McNamara has been linked with a move for Paul Paton, a player he had at Partick Thistle.
He said: “There’s nothing happened yet. I know Paul well and he’s captain just now for Partick.
“He’s a good player who can play a number of positions. I’m looking for versatile players because, having just come in, there are certain positions we’re a wee bit short on so, if we can get boys who can play several positions, then that would be beneficial.”