Steven Pressley confirms Joe Westley, Ash Hay and Brad Halliday are back in training and Dundee will hold a closed‑door game with Hearts to build match fitness before facing Hibernian
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Dundee received a timely fitness boost as manager Steven Pressley prepared his squad for an upcoming Scottish Premiership test against Hibernian. The lift followed a morale‑raising victory at Pittodrie, Dundee’s first win there in 22 years, and comes as the club moves into a critical phase of the season.
Pressley reported that three players have returned to full training and that a closed‑door friendly with Hearts will be used to give match minutes to those pushing for selection. He described the practice match as a practical way to manage workloads and sharpen readiness ahead of the fixture against Hibernian.
Pressley highlighted the comeback at Aberdeen as evidence of the squad’s growing momentum and resilience. He also provided an update on longer‑term absentees and outlined how the coaching staff will rotate players to protect fitness during the run‑in.
Behind every match there’s a story, and Pressley framed the recent results and training decisions as part of Dundee’s effort to sustain form and protect players’ availability.
Who is available: the returning players
Who is available: returning players boost squad depth
The immediate fit‑note is clear: forward Joe Westley, striker Ash Hay and full‑back Brad Halliday have resumed full training. Pressley confirmed Westley overcame an ankle problem that kept him out since October and has completed an accelerated rehabilitation programme.
Westley will not feature in the closed‑door match but could be considered for selection after a successful week without setbacks. Pressley cited the player’s professionalism and the pace of his recovery as reasons for optimism.
Hay and Halliday have likewise returned to full training and are available for selection if they remain untroubled by any training niggles. Their presence restores options both in attack and at full‑back, allowing tactical flexibility ahead of the Hibernian fixture.
The palate never lies: fitness, preparation and attention to detail are proving decisive. Behind every return there is a story of medical input, tailored conditioning and managed workloads.
Ongoing recoveries and squad management
Pressley said the coaching and medical staff will monitor minutes carefully to protect player availability. Management will base selection on training responses and short‑term fitness checks.
The club continues to prioritise a cautious approach to reintegration. That policy aims to sustain recent form while reducing the risk of recurrence, particularly for players emerging from soft‑tissue and joint complaints.
Recovery timelines remain contingent on week‑to‑week assessments. The manager indicated no guarantees but stressed that current developments broaden squad choices for upcoming Premiership matches.
The manager confirmed that not all absentees are yet ready for selection. Central defenders Clark Robertson and Billy Koumetio remain on structured rehabilitation programmes but are making steady progress.
Pressley said both players have begun running sessions, which he described as an important step before reintroducing contact work and match practice. He emphasised that incremental milestones guide decisions on training intensity and timing of returns.
Pressley is balancing short‑term selection needs with long‑term fitness management. The strategy seeks to protect squad depth and reduce the risk of recurrence while gradually widening options for upcoming Premiership matches.
Closed‑door bounce game details
To bridge the gap between training and competitive matches, Dundee have organised a closed‑door game with Hearts. Pressley described the fixture as an opportunity to give match minutes to squad members who require competitive action. He named youngsters and fringe players such as Joe Bevan, Fin Robertson and Aldahir Valenzuela as candidates to benefit. The session is intended to simulate competitive pressures and allow staff to assess individual readiness.
What the Aberdeen win means and the mood in the camp
The victory at Aberdeen has lifted spirits within the squad. It also increased competition for places and sharpened selection dilemmas for upcoming Premiership matches. Coaching staff view the closed‑door fixture as a practical step to sustain momentum while protecting key players from overload.
The palate never lies: as a former chef I learned that repetition breeds confidence. That principle is guiding Dundee’s approach to rebuilding match fitness. Short, meaningful minutes in a controlled match environment can accelerate recovery without risking recurrence of injury.
Training focus remains on restoring full availability across the squad. Central defenders already on rehabilitation programmes continue their structured work. The coaching team will use the friendly to monitor progress, measure match tempo response and widen tactical options ahead of competitive fixtures.
Staff emphasised that the fixture is evaluative rather than experimental. Individual performances will inform selection decisions and minute allocation in the short term. The club expects the exercise to clarify which players are ready to step into the first‑team picture.
The club expects the exercise to clarify which players are ready to step into the first‑team picture. The victory at Pittodrie followed, and it arrived as a tangible lift to squad confidence.
Pressley highlighted a 30‑minute spell in the first half as decisive. He noted the team’s response after falling behind. He praised the players’ character and resilience and said the result eased some pressure as the side seeks to climb clear of the relegation zone.
Pressley also referenced earlier matches where the team believed they had been unfortunate. He said renewed fitness, the closed friendly with Hearts and the momentum from the Aberdeen win have improved match readiness. Those elements, he suggested, make Dundee more competitive for upcoming fixtures.
Looking ahead
The immediate focus is the home clash with Hibernian. The manager expects to assess which squad members can sustain the recent level. As Elena Marchetti would put it, “The palate never lies” — the feel of a win reveals who thrives under pressure.
Selection decisions will prioritise match sharpness and continuity. The coaching staff aim to convert the recent positive signs into consistent results in the weeks ahead.
Building on the recent positive signs, selection will rest on training performances and the outcomes of the bounce game. Pressley remains cautious but optimistic about the options available.
The return of Westley, Hay and Halliday increases competition across the pitch. Their presence provides more choices at both ends of the field and allows for tactical flexibility.
The palate never lies, and the squad’s balance must be judged on texture as much as flavour. Gradual progress from Robertson and Koumetio offers defensive reinforcements if their recovery trajectories continue.
Management is applying a measured strategy that prioritises form and fitness. Pressley is expected to use the next training cycles and the bounce game to finalise his selections ahead of upcoming fixtures.
