United will welcome Jon Daly back into their squad for the visit of Inverness.
The striker had been ruled out for a month with a knee ligament injury but has returned ahead of schedule.
And he is likely to go straight back in as a replacement for Johnny Russell, who is banned following his red card against Rangers last weekend.
Defender Sean Dillon is also likely to miss out with a calf injury, while Scott Severin remains on the sidelines with a broken leg.
David Proctor comes back into contention for Caley following a hamstring injury.
Josh Meekings and Lee Cox are running again after injury but are unlikely to make the Tannadice squad.
Chris Hogg, Owain Tudur Jones (both knee), Jonny Hayes and Aaron Doran (both shoulder) are definitely out.
Dundee United (from): Pernis, Douglas, Dixon, Kenneth, Gunning, Smith, Allan, Flood, Rankin, Armstrong, Robertson, Mackay-Steven, Hilson, Dow, Marsh-Brown, Daly, Dalle Valle, Banks.
Inverness (from): Esson, Tokely, Golobart, Ross, Sutherland, Foran, Tade, Piermayr, G Shinnie, A Shinnie, Morrison, Gillet, Chippendale, Davis, McKay, Tansey, Proctor, Tuffey.
