The Croatian striker has been out of action with a knee injury, but should be back in training in time for the clash with Celtic.
Sasa Papac and Alejandro Bedoya should also be available for the game and McCoist believes Lee Wallace also has a chance to be fit for the Old Firm.
McCoist told the club’s official website: “I am very hopeful that Nikica’s injury will clear up in time for Sunday. It wasn’t anything major that kept him out at United, it was a slight niggle in his knee.
“We hope he can rejoin training and if so that will be encouraging for us.
“Lee Wallace is improving but we are not sure if he will be ready for Sunday. There has been an improvement with Davie Weir and also Jamie Ness. And we are hopeful that Sasa Papac will be with us for the weekend.
“Alejandro Bedoya had a calf strain last week and that’s what kept him out of Tannadice but he is better this week and hopefully he will come into contention at the weekend.
“So the treatment room has been busy but we hope it is quietening down now.
“We could have some choices to make on Sunday and that’s what we are hoping for.
“You have to say that the lads did well at the weekend but we did want a bigger squad to give us competition for places and when everyone is fit that will be the case.”
