Madjid Bougherra and Kirk Broadfoot will discover today whether they have a chance of playing in the Co-operative Insurance Cup final, as Gordon Strachan contemplates starting Barry Robson at Hampden Park.
Bougherra is expected to take his place beside David Weir despite limping out of the 5-1 win against Hamilton Academical in the quarter-final of the Homecoming Scottish Cup with a calf strain. The Algerian did not train yesterday, receiving physiotherapy instead, but he will rejoin the squad today and a decision will be made tomorrow morning.
Broadfoot will join him for his first training session this week and while he is determined to overcome the foot injury that has troubled him since the 0-0 draw at Parkhead last month, his lack of match preparation makes Steven Whittaker the favourite to start at right-back.
Broadfoot was originally feared to have broken a bone but despite taking painkilling injections, he was rested for the Hamilton cup tie and a lack of sharpness could go against him. Walter Smith has favoured Broadfoot's defensive qualities over Whittaker's dynamism but after his goalscoring return last weekend, the £2m signing from Hibernian is now in pole position.
Strachan, meanwhile, is contemplating a surprise return to action for Robson. The midfielder has not played since picking up a groin injury in the 0-0 draw against Inverness Caledonian Thistle last month but despite the manager playing down his chances of involvement, it is understood Robson's robust style is attractive in deterring Pedro Mendes. Lee Naylor could also return from a calf problem at left-back, with Darren O'Dea having looked uncomfortable deputising for the Englishman.
Smith is also contemplating restoring Lee McCulloch to the wide left position to bring physical presence in confrontation with Andreas Hinkel.
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