Scottish Premier League - Team news: Shamed duo back in contention

Eurosport - Sat, 18 Apr 12:28:00 2009

Brief team news ahead of the weekend's SPL action, with shamed Rangers duo Barry Ferguson and Allan McGregor in contention for a recall.

FOOTBALL Rangers Barry Ferguson - 0

Celtic (1) v Aberdeen (4)

Celtic skipper Stephen McManus and midfielder Scott Brown are doubtful. Neither trained at Lennoxtown on Friday as they nursed ankle knocks but striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink took part in the session and looks to have shrugged off a hamstring injury. Barry Robson, Georgios Samaras, Darren O'Dea and Ben Hutchinson are still out.

Aberdeen will be without first-choice strike partnership Lee Miller and Darren Mackie. Miller begins a two-match ban after being booked against Motherwell earlier this month, while a recurrence of a hamstring problem has ruled out Mackie.

Zander Diamond is fit to play after recovering from an ankle injury, while Andrew Considine and Mark Kerr both return from suspension.

Dundee Utd (5) v Kilmarnock (8)

Dundee United welcome back Warren Feeney and Morgaro Gomis. Northern Ireland striker Feeney missed last weekend's win at Hamilton with a virus, while Gomis was suffering from a bruised foot.

Long-term injured pair Jon Daly (knee) and Scott Robertson (groin) remain on the sidelines.

Kilmarnock will be without playmaker Manuel Pascali, with the midfielder beginning a two-match ban after picking up his 13th booking of the season two weeks ago.

James Fowler (foot) is back in training but the game comes to soon for the defender.Winger Willie Gibson is back in contention after his own foot problem.

Falkirk (12) v Hearts (3)

Falkirk manager John Hughes faces a shortage of attacking options. Michael Higdon his only fully fit striker, with Steve Lovell ruled out with a knee injury and Mark Stewart and Carl Finnigan struggling to shake off knocks. Veteran winger Neil McCann is also a doubt.

Hearts are likely to have an unchanged squad. Gary Glen (ankle) and Jason Thomson (hamstring) are expected to miss out, while Laryea Kingston is not ready to return from his hamstring injury.

Mike Tullberg is pushing for an appearance but Calum Elliot is likely to continue up front.

Inverness CT (11) v Hamilton (9)

Inverness midfielder Richie Foran and centre-back Pavels Mihadjuks should be fit to face Hamilton. Foran suffered a neck injury in last weekend's defeat to Aberdeen but has returned to training, while Mihadjuks took a knock to the ribs.

Eric Odhiambo, who was injured in the warm-up at Pittodrie last Saturday, will be out of action for up to three weeks, and Richie Byrne misses out with a back injury.

Hamilton manager Billy Reid could have as many as five first-team regulars unavailable.

David Elebert, Trent McClenahan, Brian Easton, Mark Corcoran and Richard Offiong are all struggling with various knocks. Although all rated doubtful at the moment, Reid is hoping at least one proves his fitness.

Sunday, April 19

Hibernian (6) v Rangers (2)

Hibernian have received a huge boost with the news top scorer Steven Fletcher has been declared fit to play.

The Scotland international injured his groin in Monday night's 1-1 draw at St Mirren but has recovered to take a full part in training. Hibs have no other injury worries.

Ferguson (pictured) and McGregor are both available for selection for Rangers. The pair have served their two-week club bans but are likely to still be lacking in fitness. Sasa Papac and Kenny Miller could both be involved after recovering from ankle and hamstring injuries, respectively.

But Lee McCulloch, DaMarcus Beasley, Kyle Lafferty, Kirk Broadfoot and Kevin Thomson are still out of action.

Sporting Life / Eurosport

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  1. LOL nice one, just wish it was me there

    From Paul G CHAMPIONS, on Fri 17 Apr 9:15PM

  2. ashley380 - are you posting here from a Brown Cafe in­ Amsterdam, by any chance? That's NOT real tea you­ are drinking, and the funny taste your pastry has is­ down to a special ingredient. Also, the cigarette smoke­ you are inhaling is not from people making rollups with­ a packet of Golden Virginia!

    From Singin' Ginger!!, on Fri 17 Apr 7:15PM

  3. point 2, totally agree ha

    From william.fox5, on Fri 17 Apr 7:01PM

  4. What the he.ll are you talking about ya coconut

    From Paul G CHAMPIONS, on Fri 17 Apr 6:38PM

  5. Stephen A. Smith has been slowly losing responsibility­ over the last year at ESPN, and many have questioned­ whether his time with the "Leader" was up.­ Well according to The Big Lead, that time is upon us,­ and Smith's contract won't be renewed this­ May....
    Stephen A. Smith-going-bye-bye/
    While this is­ obviously still a rumor, it seems to make sense. SAS­ has been phased out of NBA work for the most part, and­ really only appears on First Take from time to time. So­ where does he go next? My first thought is that he will­ expand on his CNN appearances, but SI and Fanhouse are­ still out there. It's not like he doesn't have­ options.

    From ashley380, on Fri 17 Apr 5:10PM
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