Paul Hartley May Stick With His Dundee Strike Trio

[JoeCovenant]

Dundee may not sign a replacement for injured loanee frontman Rhys Healey.

Instead, Dark Blues’ boss Paul Hartley is toying with the idea of going with the strike-force already at his disposal.

By the manager’s own admission, January is traditionally a tough month to pick up players.

And with Healey back at Cardiff for the foreseeable future, it had been widely expected Paul would dip back into the market to replace him when the winter window reopened on New Year’s Day.

Plenty of loan players will become available, both in the English Championship and Premier League, but it’s understood Paul is assessing whether sticking with in-form Kane Hemmings, Rory Loy and Greg Stewart as his attacking options is the sensible option.

Recalling Craig Wighton from Raith Rovers to bolster his pool is also something that has been discussed.

But at this stage it’s unlikely he will come back to Dundee to play. If he does return to Dens Park, another loan spell, probably elsewhere in the Championship, will almost certainly follow.

Meanwhile, on the fitness front, ahead of this weekend’s clash with Aberdeen at Dens (12.30pm kick-off), Kevin Thomson has returned to training.

The skipper took part in a full session this morning with the rest of the first-team squad and, as has been the case in recent weeks, has an outside chance of being in the matchday 18.

A knee problem has plagued the former Scotland international recently and the club, as well as the player himself, are taking it easy in terms of a return.

The last thing either would want, especially with Thomson’s contract being up at the end of the current season, would be for him to rush back to action and, by playing, risk ending his campaign.

Elsewhere, there is more positive news for the manager.

Despite taking a knock in the 1-1 draw at St Johnstone last Friday night, Spanish centre-back Julen Etxabeguren is expected to be fine.

The former East Fife defender is likely to again start at the heart of the Dark Blues backline alongside stand-in captain James McPake.

After impressing off the bench at McDiarmid Park last weekend, both wideman Riccardo Calder and midfielder Gary Harkins are pushing for recalls to Paul’s starting XI.

View the full article

[JoeCovenant]

Gary Harkins "impressed at McDiarmid Park"....?

[Cobra]

Harkins has produced some great moments against Aberdeen so I'd be happy to see him start. Can't see it happening though.

Calder is bound to start on the bench as well.

[Blue4evr]

Harkins did absolutely zero when he came on. The first thing he did was fall over claiming a foul. When it wasn't given and they broke forward, it was embarrassing how slow he was. I've been a fan of him in the past but....

[Cobra]

Harkins did absolutely zero when he came on. The first thing he did was fall over claiming a foul. When it wasn't given and they broke forward, it was embarrassing how slow he was. I've been a fan of him in the past but....

Maybe so but he still possesses the brilliant right peg that curled in a beauty of a ball for Konrad to head the opener against Aberdeen at Dens last season. If we're going to win tomorrow we're going to need someone to produce a moment of magic. Stewart will no doubt be heavily marked so we could use a bit of creativity from GGH.