Dundee United have managed to climb to fourth in the Premiership with three important players missing through injury.

Jim Goodwin has been waiting on their return, but Wednesday’s visit to Celtic Park could still come too early for two of them.

United beat Aberdeen 3-2 at Tannadice on Saturday. Goodwin’s injury list hasn’t shortened much, although there is one player he had hoped to get back in time to face Martin O’Neill’s side.

Jim Goodwin facing Mehdi Merghem decision ahead of Celtic clash

Mehdi Merghem was supposed to be nearing a return to Dundee United’s squad this week. The 28-year-old winger injured his knee against Falkirk on September 5 and hasn’t played since.

Last Wednesday, Goodwin sounded confident that Merghem wouldn’t be far away. Speaking to The Courier, he said: “Mehdi isn’t back in training yet. He’s in a good place mentally and physically – but just needs a little bit more time.

“We will push him and see if we can get him back involved for the weekend.

“If he doesn’t make this one then I’d be confident he’ll be back for the next one (Celtic away).”

Merghem didn’t make Saturday’s squad. United had planned to get him back into full training on Monday, although his availability for Celtic remains in doubt.

Goodwin will have to decide whether the winger has done enough to earn a place among the substitutes at Parkhead.

Will Ferry expected to miss Celtic as Emmanuel Agyei remains doubtful

Will Ferry has been out with a muscle problem picked up during United’s training camp in Portugal.

Goodwin explained earlier this month that the defender had been playing through discomfort and United weren’t prepared to risk a more serious injury.

“We don’t want to risk anything longer term,” Goodwin told The Courier.

Kevin Ciubotaru has filled the gap at left-back and kept his place for Saturday’s win over Aberdeen. Ferry is expected to miss the Celtic game.

Emmanuel Agyei is another concern for Goodwin. The Ghanaian midfielder suffered a knee ligament injury in training during September. He avoided surgery, but Wednesday could be too soon for his return.

Lachie Rose, however, is available again. The Australian recovered from an ankle problem to come off the bench against Aberdeen. He almost scored in stoppage time, only for his header to be cleared off the line.

Celtic will be wary of Dylan Tait after Dundee United’s Aberdeen victory

One player Celtic will need to watch closely is Dylan Tait. The United captain scored against Aberdeen and set up both of his side’s other goals. His cross for Zac Sapsford’s winner was particularly good.

United have now taken 11 points from their last five league games, scoring nine goals along the way. That’s a decent return for a team missing three players Goodwin previously described as important members of his squad.

Celtic will be favourites on Wednesday, and rightly so. But United have already beaten Hibs and Aberdeen during their unbeaten run.

O’Neill watched Celtic concede inside the opening minute against Hibs on Sunday before fighting back to win 2-1.

They got away with that one. Give Tait and United the same invitation at Parkhead and Celtic could have another awkward night on their hands.