Docherty happy but still keen to firm up his options in attack

Dundee boss Tony Docherty is comfortable with the squad he has.

There are a few areas he would like to strengthen, not least the left-wing-back area after Owen Beck was recalled following a stand-out loan spell from Liverpool.

Other than that, Docherty would like to bolster his forward areas, with the situation around Burnley striker Michael Mellon being monitored (see left).

Defensive cover may also be brought in, with Rickie Lamie expected back in training today though Antonio Portales still ruled out.

But the strength of summer recruitment means wholesale changes are not needed.

There was debate when Docherty took over at Dens about whether or not having so few players contracted to the club was a good or a bad thing.

The Dundee boss has used the blank slate to great effect so far, with Dundee sitting in seventh going into the winter break, but with up to four games in hand on all the sides above them.

“There are a few areas that we’ll identify,” Docherty told Courier Sport.

“Obviously, with the Owen Beck situation, that’s an area that we’d look to try to fill.

“There are other areas of the team, but I’m relatively happy. The recruitment in the summer, I think that impinges on your January window.

“If you’ve recruited well in the summer, there’s no knee-jerk reaction to go out and do stuff.

“I’m happy with the squad. I think there are some areas that we can maybe improve.

“I think we need to improve our goal ratio, so right away you look at forward areas of the pitch.

“And with the injuries we picked up with Portales, we can maybe get a bit of cover in that area.

“But I’m happy with the squad that I’ve got in terms of numbers and competition for places. It was illustrated well in training on Thursday.”

Tony Docherty.