Robbie Neilson is set to make his Dundee United debut in Saturday's SPL clash against his former club Hearts.
Neilson signed until the end of the season this week and could be joined in defence by Sean Dillon, who is fit again following a calf problem.
Danny Swanson (knee) and Scott Severin (broken leg) remain absent.
Hearts will be without Ian Black and Danny Grainger.
Both are suspended while Grainger is expected to miss around six weeks after undergoing groin surgery.
Darren Barr (groin) is also missing, while Kevin Kyle, Gary Glen and Suso Santana are expected to remain out.
Dundee United (from): Pernis, Dillon, Douglas, Dixon, Watson, Kenneth, Gunning, Smith, Neilson, Allan, Flood, Rankin, Armstrong, Robertson, Mackay-Steven, Hilson, Dow, Russell, Daly, Dalla Valle, Banks.
Hearts (from): Kello, Hamill, Webster, Zaliukas, Mrowiec, Jonsson, Driver, Stevenson, Taouil, Templeton, Robinson, Skacel, Novikovas, Smith, Elliott, MacDonald, Obua, MacDonald.
