New signing Pavels Mihadjuks will go straight into the Dundee United squad for Wednesday's Clydesdale Bank Premier League game against Hamilton.
With Andy Webster again struggling because of a calf injury, manager Peter Houston brought the Latvian international on board on Monday.
United are also without defenders Mihael Kovacevic (nose) and Paul Dixon (ankle), as well as Francisco Sandaza (groin), Lee Wilkie (knee), Danny Cadamarteri (calf) and Scott Robertson (groin).
Houston welcomed Mihadjuks to Dundee for the first time - and immediately challenged him to earn a longer stay.
Former Inverness defender Mihadjuks has signed a six-month deal after an injury crisis robbed Houston of Andy Webster, Paul Dixon and Mihael Kovacevic.
But United have made it clear that he will be offered a longer contract if he impresses.
Mihadjuks is no stranger to the Clydesdale Bank Premier League, having played for Caley 12 months ago, so Houston expects him to fit in straight away and will have him in his squad for tomorrow night's game against Hamilton.
He said: "I was impressed with Pavels at Inverness and think he can do a job for us. Although Inverness went down last season, he stood out in their team.
"He's an international and has experience of playing in Europe. He enjoyed his time in Scotland so, when I spoke to him, he was keen to come here.
"He's here until the end of the season but I've told him it could be extended longer than that. Andy Webster will be going back at the end of the season so we'll need at least one defender. So the challenge for him is to do as well as he can and win a longer deal with us."
Hamilton manager Billy Reid is hopeful over the fitness of James Wesolowski and Alex Neil.
The midfielders both missed the 1-0 defeat at Motherwell with hamstring injuries but are fighting to make the Tannadice clash.
Mark McLaughlin completes his two-match suspension and Mickael-Antoine Curier (knee) also remains on the sidelines.
