Scottish Premiership: Kilmarnock v Dundee team news

Kilmarnock striker Michael Ngoo has been ruled out until the New Year ahead of the Scottish Premiership game against Dundee this weekend.

The former Hearts striker suffered an ankle injury after coming off the bench in the 2-0 defeat at Parkhead last Sunday.

Skipper Manuel Pascali is likely to be replaced by Lee Ashcroft as he serves a one-match ban following his red card at Celtic, while keeper Craig Samson is back in the reckoning after recovering from a broken toe.

Dundee have been training on the artificial surface at Forfar’s Station Park this week in preparation for their trip to Rugby Park.

Kilmarnock installed a new 3G surface during the summer but Dundee manager Paul Hartley insists there weill be no gripes about the pitch, whatever the outcome on Saturday.

He said: “Having experienced the pitch with Alloa, I thought it was a great surface and it will be good to have a session on it with Kilmarnock in mind.

“I don’t have a problem with artificial surfaces. They are getting better and better all the time. There will not be any excuses from us on Saturday, that’s for sure.”

Hartley could be without four players because of injury; Peter MacDonald and Kyle Letheren are both out, Luka Tankulic is struggling while teenage striker Craig Wighton (knee) - who has not featured for the past two games - is still rated doubtful.

Dundee - who beat leaders Hamilton 2-0 last week - are going for their third successive league victory while Kilmarnock were themselves unbeaten in three before the loss at Celtic.