THE dressing room beat might not be to his own taste but returning to the starting line-up was music to Gavin Reilly’s ears.

And now he wants Dundee United to be dancing to a Pars tune this weekend and put to bed memories of a “horror” afternoon in September.

The on-loan Hearts hitman made his first start since October in Saturday’s Scottish Cup win at Alloa, playing a key role in goals for Nicky Clark and Joe Cardle, having worked his way back to fitness after injury.

An inflammation of his groin sidelined the 23-year-old until an appearance off the bench against Falkirk on Boxing Day but he hopes he has done enough to persuade manager Allan Johnston to let him loose on the Tangerines this weekend.

Reilly was one of three penalty sinners in that painful 3-1 loss at East End and, speaking to Press Sport while questioning his team-mates’ musical tastes as they blasted out the sounds after training, he commented: “It was my first 90 minutes in about three months; I was out for two so it’s good to be back. In the last 10 minutes I felt a bit tired but I thought my fitness levels were good. I’d like to have scored but if I’m not, as long as I’m creating I’m quite happy.

“It gave the gaffer a chance to rotate and I hope I will be in his mind. It’s been very stop-start for me but I got 90 minutes for the 20s just after Christmas so it didn’t feel like I’d been away that long.

“The team have been winning so you’d expect those players to play until we lose or there’s a need to change but I hope I’ve put myself in his mind.”

When asked if September’s game added an extra incentive for the Pars on Saturday against a United outfit smarting from a 6-2 Scottish Cup hammering at Ross County, he continued: “There’s definitely extra motivation. Especially in the horror game with the three penalties where I thought we were the better team for the majority of it, we all agree that we have been good against them. I like to think the law of averages means that it’s time for things to turn our way.

“We’ve got a tough run after and we have to make sure we get as many points at home. We’re due to win one against them and hopefully we can keep our good run going.”

With Ian Cathro in the spotlight in the early stages of management at his parent club, Reilly revealed he has not yet spoken to the new man in charge at Tynecastle but is hoping to impress before his loan deal ends this summer.

Predecessor Robbie Neilson signed the striker from Queen of the South at the beginning of last season but Reilly, who is contracted to the Jambos until the summer of 2018, admits he is unsure whether his long-term future will lie in Gorgie.

He added: “I’ve not met him myself but I’m sure he’s keeping tabs on all the boys who are out on loan from Hearts. I’m signed for the whole season at Dunfermline so there was no chance of me going back there anyway but it’s only January. Maybe there’ll be an indication in the coming months or he’ll speak with my agent.

“First and foremost, I have to keep concentrating on playing and scoring goals for Dunfermline and then keep an eye on things in the summer.”