A look ahead to the weekend's action in the SPL, as leaders Rangers pay the price for their successful European exploits.

Saturday, February 23

Dundee Utd v Falkirk

Dundee United welcome back Darren Dods and Noel Hunt after the pair were rested against Inverness. Boss Craig Levein has almost a full squad to choose from - youngster Keith Watson has been allowed to step up his training following a knee operation but remains some way away from match fitness, while long-term absentees Steven Robb (hernia) and Jon Daly (knee) are out.

Falkirk will again be without long-term absentees Tim Krul, Michael Higdon and Dean Holden. However, manager John Hughes could hand on-loan Ipswich striker Billy Clarke his first start.

Hibernian v Inverness Caledonian Thistle

Hibs could again be without striker Abdessalam Benjelloun, who has continued to receive treatment on his hamstring injury this week. Midfielder Guillaume Beuzelin returns to the squad after a neck spasm.

Inverness player-manager Craig Brewster could bring back top scorer Marius Niculae at the expense of either Dennis Wyness or Graham Bayne. David Proctor (hamstring) remains Brewster's only injury concern, with the defender not fit enough to be considered for the trip to Edinburgh.

Motherwell v Hearts

Motherwell midfielder Stephen Hughes will return to the squad after a minor knee injury - Well otherwise have a full first-team squad to choose from for the contest.

Hearts interim head coach Stevie Frail could be without four first-team players, with Andrius Velicka (pelvis), Michael Stewart (hamstring), Andy Driver (groin) and Laryea Kingston (foot) all doubtful. January recruit Fernando Screpis could be added to the squad.

Sunday, February 24

Kilmarnock v Aberdeen

Paul Dalglish could make his Kilmarnock debut, with Gary Wales again expected to miss out. David Lilley returns from suspension and Martyn Corrigan has recovered from an ankle problem but Gary Locke (knee) is doubtful and Rhian Dodds (stomach) remains on the sidelines.

Dons boss Jimmy Calderwood believes Zander Diamond will recover from a knock picked up in the UEFA Cup loss to Bayern Munich. Jamie Smith, Richie Byrne, Jackie McNamara (all hamstring) and Derek Young (knee) are out but Stuart Duff returns having been ineligible on Thursday, while Karim Touzani should figure.

Rangers v Gretna

Sasa Papac and Brahim Hemdani are rated doubtful for Rangers after picking up knocks during the UEFA Cup tie against Panathinaikos. Lee McCulloch and Steven Whittaker may figure after injury, while Jean-Claude Darcheville is also back in contention after serving the second of a three-match European ban on Thursday night.

Gretna caretaker-boss Mick Wadsworth is likely to be without defenders Chris Innes and Aurelien Collin.

Innes (thigh) and Collin (calf) will be assessed in the hours leading up to the game. Long-term injury victim Fabian Yantorno (knee) is out and young goalkeeper Greg Fleming is suspended.

St Mirren v Celtic

Goalkeeper Chris Smith (illness) and Stephen O'Donnell (broken metatarsal) remain on the sidelines but Buddies manager Gus MacPherson has no fresh injury worries. Gary Mason (calf) and Richard Brittain (broken metatarsal) are back in training but unlikely to be involved.

Scott Brown and Andreas Hinkel return to the Celtic squad - Brown was suspended for the Champions League clash with Barcelona in midweek but should go straight back into Gordon Strachan's side, while Hinkel missed out through being cup-tied but should also feature from the start.

Sporting Life / Eurosport