RANGERS striker Gordon Durie will know today if he can carry on playing or miss out for a couple of weeks at least after a visit to hospital. Durie will consult a specialist to see if it will be necessary to have an operation to replace stitches from a previous hernia operation which seem to have come loose.

``He was beginning to feel it in the last couple of games,'' said manager Walter Smith, who pointed out that Durie might still be given the all-clear to play again immediately.

Another striker, Ally McCoist, is ready to return after an absence since January 13. There was also a good report on captain Richard Gough, who missed the win over Partick Thistle but will be back this weekend to face Motherwell at Ibrox. Back, too, is Craig Moore, who has been away for three weeks with the Australian side attempting to qualify for the Olympic Games this summer.

Rangers should find out on Thursday if, as is expected, they are to get permission from the Scottish League management committee to apply for a work permit which would allow them to bring Brazilian striker Jardel to Scotland.

Hibs may have to do without Under-21 internationalist Kevin Harper for the rest of the season after he goes in for an operation on a recurring shoulder injury. The striker was taken off after 17 minutes against Celtic on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Hibs' Easter Road pitch, famed for its six-foot slope, will be redeveloped in the near future under UEFA instructions for all pitches to be put through rigorous tests, with playing surfaces to be completely flat.