Davis Fit for Fiorentina

[ricksen_da_best 2,034]

RANGERS' injury crisis was today beginning to ease as several key players get ready to return ahead of schedule.

Veteran defender Davie Weir is out of Thursday's Uefa Cup semi-final second leg against Fiorentina in Italy with a groin strain - but midfielder Steven Davis is fit and will play in Florence. Chris Burke also is in the squad just 10 days after injuring an ankle in the Scottish Cup semi-final win over St Johnstone.

And, despite fears their season could be over, Lee McCulloch and Charlie Adam have a good chance of returning to Walter Smith's squad for the SPL clash against Motherwell at Ibrox a week tomorrow.

Adam saw a knee specialist last night and should resume light training this week, while McCulloch's foot injury is improving all the time.

advertisementRangers feared Weir had torn his adductor muscle in Sunday's Old Firm defeat at Parkhead, which would have ended his season.

But a scan yesterday showed no major damage. He has an outside chance of being ready for the Hibs game this Sunday, although no risks will be taken.

Smith confirmed today: "Davie won't make Thursday night, which is a blow considering how important a player he is for us, but he does have a chance for Sunday.

"Steven has had a bit of cramping in his muscles, but he will be available for Italy.

"In terms of the others, we hope to have some of them back soon as the injury list is obviously a concern with the schedule we have.

"If we can get the likes of Chris, Lee and Charlie back into the squad it will increase the options."

Christian Dailly will slot into central defence alongside Carlos Cuellar in Italy, as he did when Rangers beat Sporting Lisbon 2-0 in Portugal last month.

Officials in Florence will create a fanzone in the city's square with a giant TV screen for the ticketless Rangers fans to watch Thursday night's sell-out match.

Local police and city officials were heavily criticised by Everton for the way they treated their travelling support in the last-16 tie back in March, and have changed their planning for this one.

Rangers have around 2400 official tickets, but as many as double that amount of supporters are expected in Tuscany for the game.

Bars and pubs will close on Thursday - which is an Italian public holiday - but a Florence city council spokesman said: "We will be ready for the thousands of Rangers fans we expect without tickets. The plan is to erect a giant screen."

Meantime, reports today claimed that Brahim Hemdani has changed agents and will look for a move out of Ibrox this summer.

The French/Algerian midfielder is heading into the final year of his four-year deal and is believed to fancy a crack at the Premiership.

Rangers will not stand in Hemdani's way and he will be one of four or five players moved on from the current squad.

Belgium's Frank De Bleeckere, 41, will referee the second leg tie.

[Jelle1880 649]

Hmm, the ref's is a bit of a dud.

He's terrible in Belgian competitions, but he's quite good in Europe

At least he won't be biased towards any of the clubs.