Steven Pressley confident Simon Murray can return to goalscoring form for Dundee

Dundee manager Steven Pressley is sure Simon Murray will battle for his place and return to goalscoring form – but it might not be this weekend.

Pressley installed the 33-year-old as club captain in the summer after he netted 22 goals in his first full season with his boyhood club.

But the striker has only netted once in the William Hill Premiership so far this term and started on the bench as Dundee lost 1-0 at Motherwell on Saturday.

Pressley, whose side host Falkirk this weekend, said: “The unfortunate thing for Simon is he has got a little bit of an injury from Saturday’s performance. When he came on he clashed with the goalkeeper and sustained an injury to his knee.

“Now we hope that he will recover by the weekend but there is still doubt about that. He hasn’t trained this week.

“But I know Simon and I spoke to him on Monday at length. And he is a very resilient character. You only have to look at his career to know that.

“He will have a real determination and drive to get himself back in the team and amongst the goals again.”

Finlay Robertson led the team out at Fir Park but he only lasted until half-time after picking up a knee knock.

Pressley said: “When you consider Fin injured himself in the first half, in our last six games we have had five enforced changes within the first half, which is not perfect. He is also a major doubt for the weekend

“But coming back into the equation is Ryan Astley, who got the all clear to train earlier. Ethan Hamilton will return to training. His partner gave birth and he missed a few days because of some private issues.”