Dark Blues boost as Moussa returns

DUNDEE have received a boost with the return of Sofien Moussa to training.

The Tunisian managed only 51 minutes of Premiership football before damaging knee ligaments in the 2-1 defeat to Ross County on the first day of the season.

That, coupled with the subsequent thigh injury picked up by Marcus Haber in the defeat at Aberdeen, plus the fact Craig Wighton will be sidelined until the new year with a cruciate injury, meant boss Neil McCann’s options up top were limited.

It resulted in Faissal El Bakhtaoui leading the line as the Dens men picked up their first point of the season in the 1-1 draw against Hibs.

The manager has since bolstered his striking options with the loan signing of AJ Leitch-Smith from Shrewsbury but, even so, the return of Moussa, will be welcome.

It’s highly unlikely he’ll be included in the squad for Saturday when Premiership hostilities resume with a game against Rangers at Ibrox.

It’s more likely Leitch-Smith will be handed his debut alongside El Bakhtaoui as the Dark Blues look to build on their Dens Park draw.

Meanwhile, Dundee’s ranks have been swelled further with the return of Darren O’Dea and Julen Etxabeguren.

Skipper O’Dea hasn’t featured since going off with a knee injury in the away game at Hamilton just under a month ago, while fellow central defender Etxabeguren has been out for six months after rupturing his Achilles tendon.

When you add in the fact Josh Meekings is building up his fitness, competition for places at the heart of Dundee’s defence is set to intensify over the next few weeks.

However, current incumbents Kerr Waddell and Jack Hendry have done well together and could take some shifting.

Sofien Moussa (centre) has returned to training with Dundee after damaging knee ligaments against Ross County.