PARS forward Craig Wighton has joked that his manager will "take a bit of the heat off" him when he pitches up at Tannadice this afternoon.

As a former Dundee player, the 26-year-old is expecting to be on the receiving end of stick from fans of the team across the street - but is relishing it.

James McPake, himself a former Dees player and manager, takes his team to the City of Discovery for what will be their first game in three weeks, since a 2-1 loss at Queen's Park on January 5.

It's Dunfermline's second visit to Dundee United in the league this season, having come within seconds of victory in August, only for Mathew Cudjoe to strike late into stoppage time and rescue a point for Jim Goodwin's table-toppers.

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Wighton was on the mark for Athletic that afternoon and is hopeful of repeating the trick - whilst taking the banter in the stands in his stride.

Speaking this week to Press Sport, he joked: "I'm sure I will (get stick). The gaffer will probably take a bit of the heat off me, but I'm sure we'll both get it!

"That's something I quite enjoy, so I'm looking forward to that as well.

"I think they came out and said after a couple of games we've played them how close the games were. They'll know that we'll be going there and we'll make it tough for them.

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"I don't think they'll underestimate us and, obviously, we won't do the same. It's just a case of going up there with a game plan, sticking to it, taking our chances when we get them, and hopefully get back to winning ways.

"That's what we're aiming to do and get back in contetion for the play-off places. We need to take one game at a time and it starts this weekend.

"The two games (the draw at Tannadice, and a 2-1 United win at KDM Group East End Park in November) have been competitive and there's not been much between the two sides, but they are top of the league for a reason.

"They're a good side. They've got quality all over the pitch, they're a hard team to break down, and they've obviously got a threat going forward, some good players.

"We'll be ready for that. You know this league, you know all the teams now, and you know what they're all about. It's up to us to go there, stick to our game plan, hopefully cause them problems and win the game. That's the aim going up there.

"We'll see what happens but we'll be ready for it. I think the boys are looking forward to it, especially with not having a game for a couple of weeks. We're itching to get going again."

When asked if there might be an element of rustiness from the Pars, having had three weeks without a game, Wighton continued: "We've still been training away hard but you want something at the end of the training week. You train all week looking forward to the games.

"The boys are itching to go and, the couple of days that I've trained there, have been really good. I don't think the rustiness will be a problem - it's only a couple of weeks - and in that, we've trained away, trained well, so we're looking forward to it.

"It's obviously frustrating the games (against Airdrieonians and Queen's Park) being off. I've been carrying a wee bit of a knock so, on a personal note, it means I've not missed any games, but obviously the boys were ready to go the last couple of weeks.

"I think there was a few boys carrying knocks, with the three games in a week before that. It's maybe not a bad thing trying to get a few boys back fit and get some training into boys as well, but obviously you want to be playing games. You don't want a pile-up of fixtures.

"We're all looking forward to the game this weekend and getting back to action, rather than just training, and having nothing at the end of the week."

Wighton has scored six goals so far this season and, on whether he could grab a seventh this afternoon, he added: ""Fingers crossed! That's the plan.

"I need to hopefully score a few more goals. I had a few chances in the Ayr game where I could've done a bit better, so frustrating with that, but hopefully if I get a chance I can take it.

"The last time we were up there, we didn't have loads of chances but, at the same time, we looked solid defensively, and managed to take a chance that day. If it wasn't for a last minute wonder goal, we win the game.

"Hopefully there's more of the same. We're looking forward to it now and ready to go."