Dundee vs Queen of South preview - McKeown back for Dundee

Dundee welcome back Craig McKeown to their defence as they look to create a club record of 20 games undefeated in the home clash with Queen of the South.

However, manager Barry Smith has lost the services of Graham Bayne and Craig Robertson and has a couple of players suffering from niggles following the midweek win over Cowdenbeath.

Veteran winger Neil McCann is available as a trialist again and Smith said: "If we achieve the record the only time it will mean anything will be if we stay in this Division.

"There is no point in losing focus on what we are trying to achieve.

"Queen of the South are a dangerous side, who like us seem to be a bit short of bodies but their starting 11 is usually very strong."

Queen of the South are without Craig Reid because of tonsillitis.

He joins a list of absentees that already includes injury victims Paul Burns and Rocco Quinn.

The Dumfries side are down to the bare bones and a win for the Dark Blues would lift them above Kenny Brannigan's men in the table.

Yet Brannigan said: "We have had to bring in young players and they have progressed well recently.

"This is a great opportunity for them to show that they have become men.

"They have been thrown in at the deep end a wee bit but they have been showing signs that they can handle it and this will be a great test."