Dundee manager Barry Smith admits Saturday's Clydesdale Bank Premier League match with Ross County feels like it is overdue following their derby defeat.

The Dens Park club have been licking their wounds in the wake of Sunday's 3-0 loss to city rivals Dundee United but have the chance to make amends when County visit Tayside.

And Smith concedes their opportunity to bounce back cannot come quickly enough for his SPL new boys.

Smith said: "If we had the chance to play earlier this week we would have much preferred that.

"The lads were obviously still hurting after losing the way we did to Dundee United and want to make up for it.

"We've had to be patient this week waiting for this game to come round but now that it's nearly here we'll definitely be ready for it.

"It's never nice losing any derby but the thing is the players are just wanting to get back out the game can't quick enough."

Dundee hope to chalk up their first league win at the fourth attempt since moving back up to the SPL.

After back-to-back defeats and an opening-day draw with Kilmarnock, Smith knows there would be no better time to get off the mark.

He said: "We just want to get our first three points of the season.

"There have been some positive aspects to our play but unfortunately we haven't taken our chances.

"At this level you are usually made to pay for that which is something we've learned.

"But the boys are bubbly and really looking forward to this game when we'll hopefully get the right result.

"I have a lot of respect for County because of the long unbeaten league they're on but we're concentrating on ourselves and what we're good at."

Ross County defender Ross Tokely has warned his team-mates they will need to repeat the performance that saw them seconds from victory against Celtic when they face Dundee.

A last-gasp goal by Kris Commons denied County their first league win after Richard Brittain's spectacular free-kick had given the Dingwall side the lead.

But County remain unbeaten in 37 league games and they now face the team they beat to the Irn-Bru First Division title.

Tokely said: "We'll need to play to the levels we did on Saturday.

"A clean sheet would be nice and we certainly worked hard as a back four and as a team to limit chances.

"We played against three very good attacking sides - Motherwell, Aberdeen and Celtic - so Saturday will be just as hard. We'll need to be at the races."

Commons' goal was the first County had conceded in the SPL - after more than 270 minutes of play.

And Tokely is firmly focused on keeping up that defensive record.

He said: "There are certain ways of playing in certain games.

"The boys have a certain style and I've fitted in and tried offer something when I can.

"My job is not to concede but our attacking players are the ones to create.

"I'm not really too worried about that side of things.

"There are boys who came in on Saturday and had a really good game. These are the guys who are going to get forward and create the goals.

"The manager seems to know what he is doing."

Dundee squad: Douglas, McGregor, Lockwood, Benedictus, Gallagher, Irvine, Webster, Conroy, McAlister, Baird, McIntosh, Stewart, Davidson, Grassi, Reid, Cavanagh, Milne, Boyle, McCluskey, O'Donnell, Nish.

Ross County squad: Fraser, Boyd, Munro, Tokely, Fitzpatrick, Brittain, Kettlewell, Vigurs, Corcoran, Quinn, Duncan, Cooper, Byrne, Craig, Glen, Morrow, McMenamin, Hall.