Dundee manager Jim McIntyre believes his team will be sharper for their William Hill Scottish Cup replay against Queen of the South.
But he is well aware they have given themselves a tougher task to get through on the plastic pitch at Palmerston.
Dundee fought back for a 1-1 fourth-round draw against Queens in their first match since the winter break, and have since beaten Hearts and had plenty of chances in a 1-0 defeat by Motherwell.
McIntyre, whose new signings Andreas Hadenius and James Horsfield are ineligible, said: "The first game we were definitely a bit rusty having had the three-and-a-half-week break. You have still got to give Queen of the South credit, they came and played well.
"Going to Palmerston is always difficult. It's a club I managed and I know how difficult it is.
"We have obviously got to handle their surface as well, which their players are used to and we aren't. But it's not an excuse, you have just got to make sure you pick a team that can win the game."
Queens manager Gary Naysmith has warned his players to expect a better performance from their Ladbrokes Premiership opponents.
Naysmith told his club's official website: "The visit of Dundee will be another tough game for us but I genuinely thought we were unlucky not to win the first one at Dens Park.
"I was delighted with our intensity in that game. We started on the front foot, moved the ball really well and our players were excellent. Hopefully we can put on a similar performance at Palmerston.
"Jim is a very good, very experienced manager and he was gracious enough to say after the first game that we were the better side.
"However that game at Dens now counts for nothing and It's how we perform in the replay that will decide if we progress into the next round of the cup.
"I watched Dundee against Hearts and they were very good, you could see any rustiness they may have had in our first match was gone.
"They lost at home on Saturday but Jim was pleased with the way they played against Motherwell and is installing belief in the squad that they can turn it around.
"There is no doubt we have to be at the top of our game but we know we can go toe-to-toe with them and again we will give it our best efforts."
Queens will be without Josh Todd (knee) and have doubts over Nicky Low (groin) and Callum Fordyce (ankle).
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