St Johnstone defender Graham Gartland begins a two-match suspension but Stuart McCaffrey is free from illness.
On loan striker Cillian Sheridan is in line for his debut but Martin Hardie and Collin Samuel remain unavailable.
Dundee United interim manager Peter Houston: "Our boys have been really at it lately. Their workrate has been brilliant and I think we improved a notch or two against Falkirk on Sunday.
"We won't always play as good as that but the one thing we need is the same level of work.
"Our games against St Johnstone have been very close and this one will be no different."
St Johnstone manager Derek McInnes: "It's a tough game, Dundee United have picked up again.
"We can't afford any hangover (from the loss to Celtic) and I don't expect it to be there.
"The good thing is, the players we've got, nine times out of 10 they'll respond in the right manner and are bang ready to go the next game.
"It's got to be that in a derby."
Dundee United (from): Pernis, Dixon, Dods, Kenneth, Webster, Watson, Dillon, Kovacevic, Buaben, Gomis, D Robertson, Swanson, Conway, Shala, Myrie-Williams, Daly, Goodwillie, Casalinuovo, Banks.
St Johnstone (from): Smith, Grainger, Irvine, MacKay, Morris, Davidson, Millar, Moon, Craig, MacDonald, Deuchar, Morais, Milne, Main, Anderson, McCaffrey, Jackson, Sheridan, Reynolds.
Source: BBC Sport
Source: BBC Sport