Ivanauskas poised to return as Hearts' coach

Valdas Ivanauskas is back in Edinburgh and will resume his role as head coach of Hearts next week.

The Lithuanian returned to his homeland last month on sick leave amid uncertainty over whether he would be back. But he will watch Hearts in their Premier League game at Inverness today before resuming his role on Monday.

"I needed this rest because it was very hard and now I feel good," Ivanauskas said. "I start on Monday with the team. My problems are my problems, but now I feel good and ready."

Hearts' captain Steven Pressley will be included in the squad for the trip. The Scotland defender was on the bench for the defeat by Rangers left week following his omission from the squad for the draw at Falkirk amid reports he had asked not to be selected after hearing of a plot to strip him of the captaincy.

Elsewhere, the Rangers defender Steven Smith has been ruled out for the visit of Kilmarnock tomorrow. The 21-year-old suffered a back injury in the Uefa Cup draw at Auxerre on Thursday and faces a week out.

For Celtic, defender Gary Caldwell is the only absentee for tomorrow's trip to Hibernian. The Scotland international suffered a knee injury in the win over Inverness Caledonian Thistle last weekend. Bobo Baldé is ready to continue alongside Stephen McManus in defence.