Eurosport - Sat, 01 Nov 08:11:00 2008
All the latest team news ahead of the weekend's action in the SPL, with Rangers' talismanic captain returning to the side.
Saturday
Aberdeen will be without midfielder Jamie Smith who has still not recovered from a calf injury and will not be available until next week's trip to face Dundee United. Substitute goalkeeper Bertrand Bossu, who is also suffering from a calf strain, is Aberdeen's only other absentee.
Kilmarnock are without Frazer Wright and Danny Invincibile after both suffered injuries in the midweek cup defeat by Celtic. Wright pulled a calf muscle and will be out for two or three weeks, while Invincibile faces six weeks on the sidelines with a torn hamstring. Killie were already without Simon Ford (hamstring) and Ryan O'Leary (shoulder), while Garry Hay, Allan Johnston and Allan Russell are short of fitness.
Falkirk v Dundee United
Falkirk welcome back striker Steve Lovell from suspension. However, they again will have to do without defenders Tam Scobbie and Brian Allison through injury, and striker Carl Finnigan because of a viral complaint.
Dundee United striker Jon Daly has been ruled out with a groin strain and is expected to be replaced in the side by fellow Irishman Roy O'Donovan. Captain Lee Wilkie is fully fit again after suffering a slight thigh problem, while defender Mihael Kovacevic returns to the squad following a broken cheek.
Motherwell v Hamilton
Motherwell defender Paul Quinn returns from suspension but captain Stephen Craigan is still missing with a groin injury. Well have no other changes to their squad, with centre-backs Brian McLean (knee) and Maros Klimpl (ankle) still out.
Hamilton will be without defender Chris Swailes who sustained a hamstring injury in Tuesday's League Cup defeat at Rangers. Fellow defender Mark McLaughlin played 45 minutes for the reserves in midweek and could be back in the first-team squad after six weeks out with a knee injury.
Rangers v Inverness Caledonian Thistle
Rangers are boosted by the return of captain Barry Ferguson, who will be involved at some stage after five months out of action with an ankle injury. Brahim Hemdani and Steven Naismith are the only casualties for Walter Smith's side.
Inverness manager Craig Brewster has no fresh injury concerns. Defender Phil McGuire remains on the sidelines with an ankle injury but is expected to return within three weeks. Midfielder Ian Black (shoulder) returns to the squad.
St Mirren v Hibernian
St Mirren midfielder Antonio Tonet remains on the sidelines with a hamstring problem. David Barron and Stephen O'Donnell are both still missing with knee injuries, while Tom Brighton is also out with his own knee problem.
Hibernian defender Chris Hogg is available after coming through a 75-minute reserve run-out in midweek following his headache problems since suffering concussion in August. Winger Alan O'Brien is back in training after a knee injury but is unlikely to be risked, while full-back Kevin McCann (knee) remains absent.
Sunday
Hearts v Celtic
Hearts are set to welcome back winger Andy Driver and goalkeeper Marian Kello from injury. Uganda international David Obua is also set to return after being sidelined with a muscle problem. The match has come to soon for right-sided midfielder Laryea Kingston, however, as the Ghanian has a leg injury.
Skipper Stephen McManus has been added to the Celtic squad after recovering from a tight hamstring. Midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura, who was substituted in Wednesday's win at Kilmarnock with a thigh injury, is also fit again. Defender Glenn Loovens missed the trip to Ayrshire with a thigh injury and joins Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, Chris Killen, Georgios Samaras and Marc Crosas on the sidelines.
Comment 1 - 12 of 12
united irishman-u r a @#$%-found who ur dad is yet?
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The skipper returns and the tatty pickers are all on here sayin this and that but they know that Scotland need him there is no T.I.M who could step up to the plate FOLLOW FOLLOW
ahahahah!!! big deal! fergies bk!!! he was playin last season and still u lot fluffed the league and uefa cup!!! we have nothing to fear bhoys!!! Hail Hail!!!
Hope Ferguson gets fit again as Scotland could be doing with him just now. The past performances in midfield have not been good
clearly the scum from the toilet are getting unsettled and we are ready to pounch to take the lead and go on to win the spl, so like the the sender robertw get off and buy some soap and get back to nicking hub caps and drawing your giro's
Why are they showing a picture here of Feguson knocking one off the wrist in front of a crowd? By the look on his face, I reckon he's on the vinegar strokes! About all he's good for!
barry ferguson,the only missing link,rangers undefeated rest of season
BIG JOCK KNEW
3 in a row and 3 points clear (SAY HELLO TO 4 IN A ROW)
Ferguson who ? BROONY is the main man and the player of the year in waiting !
I am astounded that a member of the great unwashed fraternity having the front to use the word DIRTY three times in the one sentence! When it comes to bad tackles look no further than your OWN Captain cop out! PS Get yourself down to ASDA pronto, they have a special TWO for the price of ONE on PAMOLIVE SOAP.
big @#$% deal he is a @#$% dirty footballer that gets away with dirty dirty tackles
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