Scotland

Rangers welcome back Moore and Ricksen

Rangers have mixed news on the injury front ahead of their Premier League trip to Motherwell tomorrow.

Craig Moore, Fernando Ricksen and Paolo Vanoli have all proved their fitness after injury in time for the Champions' League clash with Manchester United on Wednesday. But Ronald de Boer is still ruled out while Robert Malcom is also missing with an ankle injury.

The Motherwell manager, Terry Butcher, has doubts over Stephen Pearson, Jason Dair and Steven Craig. The Scotland Under-21 international midfielder Pearson has been struggling with a heel injury and Dair has a groin strain. Craig is hoping to recover from a knock he picked up in the victory over Dundee United a fortnight ago.

Joos Valgaeren and Bobo Balde return to the Celtic squad for the match with Hearts at Parkhead. The Belgium international defender has not played since 23 August having picked up knee and ankle injuries while Balde comes back into contention after missing the win at Rangers through suspension.

Martin O'Neill's biggest concern surrounds Chris Sutton, who has been struggling with a hamstring problem. Alan Thompson has made a quicker-than-expected return to training after a hamstring injury and Jamie Smith is also back in the frame.

The Dundee striker Fabrizio Ravanelli could be set for his debut against Partick Thistle. The former Derby, Middlesbrough and Juventus forward has been unable to play since joining the club due to a lack of match fitness, but could be named on the bench.

The Dark Blues manager, Jim Duffy, is hopeful defender Lee Wilkie will recover from a calf problem, but Lee Mair is rated only 50-50 with a thigh strain. Striker Steve Lovell is still out of action with a knee problem.

Partick will be without the defender David Lilley. The former Aberdeen man has suffered a recurrence of a back injury and will be out indefinitely. Midfielder Ian Ross is also rated as very doubtful by the Jags manager, Gerry Collins, with a foot injury.

The Aberdeen manager, Steve Paterson, has kept faith with the same 16-man squad which won at Kilmarnock two weeks ago for the visit of Dundee United. Defender Michael Hart is still missing with a thigh strain.

Midfielder Jamie McQuilken also remains on the sidelines with a pelvic problem.

Dundee United welcome back Jim Paterson, who has not featured since 23 September due to a calf problem.