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Celtic have been dealt a blow with the news that Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink is expected to be sidelined for up to four weeks.

Saturday, August 18

Falkirk (11) v Aberdeen (12)

Falkirk goalkeeper Robert Olejnik could be dropped for on-loan back-up Scott Flinders after making a costly mistake in the 3-2 defeat to Motherwell last time out. Midfielder Arnau Riera and defender Dean Holden are pushing for inclusion in the squad after proving their fitness in the reserves this week and veteran Russell Latapy has returned fit after helping Trinidad and Tobago to a midweek win over the United States.

Bottom-of-the-table Aberdeen will be without left-back Charlie Mulgrew, who is suspended. Bertrand Bossu is the Dons' only other absentee, the goalkeeper is expected to be out for a month with a calf strain. Jamie Smith, who was also suffering from a calf strain, returns to the squad.

Last season: Aberdeen 2 Falkirk 1, Falkirk 0 Aberdeen 0, Aberdeen 1 Falkirk 1

Last five league matches: Falkirk L W D W L; Aberdeen W L L L L

Top scorers: Scott Arfield, Michael Higdon & Steve Lovell (Falkirk) 3; Charlie Mulgrew (Aberdeen) 3

Referee: W Collum (Scotland).

Hamilton (9) v St Mirren (10)

Defender Mark McLaughlin (knee) remains boss Hamilton's only absentee, but he has returned to training after six weeks and only narrowly missed out on selection. Accies will be looking to bounce back from two heavy defeats before the international break ahead of the forthcoming league and cup double header against Rangers.

St Mirren striker Jim Hamilton is fighting to shake off a hamstring injury. David Barron and Stephen O'Donnell are both still missing with knee problems. Tom Brighton picked up a knock in a reserve game during the week and is also out, but Franco Miranda returns after suspension.

Last season: No corresponding fixture

Last five league matches: Hamilton L W L L L; St Mirren L W D L W

Top scorers: David Graham (Hamilton) 3; Billy Mehmet (St Mirren) 7

Referee: D Somers (Scotland).

Inverness (7) v Celtic (1)

Celtic have been dealt a blow with the news that Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink is expected to be sidelined for up to four weeks. The Holland striker has yet to recover from the groin injury he sustained in the win over Hamilton earlier in the month. The fitness of Scott McDonald, Shunsuke Nakamura, Artur Boruc and Georgios Samaras will also be assessed following the international break.

Inverness boss Craig Brewster is sweating on the fitness of forward Andy Barrowman, who strained a muscle in his leg whilst training earlier this week and is a doubt. Defender David Proctor has resumed full training after being out for seven weeks with an ankle problem but is unlikely to feature in the squad.

Last season: Celtic 2 Inverness 1, Inverness 3 Celtic 2 Celtic 5 Inverness 0

Last five league matches: Inverness W L L W L; Celtic L W W W W

Top scorers: Andrew Barrowman Don Cowie & Douglas Imrie (Inverness) 2; Georgios Samaras (Celtic) 10

Referee: I Brines (Scotland).

Kilmarnock (3) v Motherwell (8)

Kilmarnock vice-captain James Fowler returns after suspension. Garry Hay is still out with a knee injury, along with long-term casualties Ryan O'Leary and Allan Russell. There are also doubts over Allan Johnston and Willie Gibson, who both picked up hamstring strains playing for the reserves.

Motherwell defender Stephen Craigan missed Northern Ireland's World Cup qualifying double header with a groin injury but his club will assess his fitness ahead of the Rugby park trip. Stephen Hughes should recover from a bug in time to play, while Brian McLean (knee) remains on the sidelines.

Last season: Motherwell 1 Kilmarnock 0, Kilmarnock 0 Motherwell 1, Motherwell 1 Kilmarnock 2

Last five league matches: Kilmarnock W L L L W; Motherwell W L L W W

Top scorers: Mehdi Taouil & Conor Sammon (Kilmarnock) 3; John Sutton (Motherwell) 5

Referee: A Muir (Scotland).

Sunday, October 19

Hibernian (4) v Hearts (5)

Hibernian manager Mixu Paatelainen is without left-back Paul Hanlon who has been called up to the Scotland Under-19 squad, while centre-back Chris Hogg has failed to recover from a head knock and will not be involved, so Sol Bamba should partner Rob Jones. Winger Alan O'Brien and right-back Kevin McCann are sidelined with knee problems.

Andrew Driver will return to the Hearts squad. The winger has been missing since August with an Achilles problem but Hearts will study his fitness tomorrow to determine whether he can start. Eggert Jonsson returns from suspension but Deividas Cesnauskis (thigh), David Obua (muscle strain) and Adrian Mrowiec (knee) remain on the sidelines, while Robbie Neilson (Achilles) is still recovering from surgery.

Last season: Hearts 1 Hibernian 0, Hibernian 1 Hearts 1 Hearts 0 Hibernian 1

Last five league matches: Hibernian L W W L W; Hearts W L W L L

Top scorers: Colin Nish & Derek Riordan (Hibernian) 3; Michael Stewart (Hearts) 3

Referee: C Thomson (Scotland).

Sporting Life / Eurosport