| FOOTBALL NEWS |
Danny Swanson: Misses trip to Ibrox
SCOTTISH CUP BRIEFING (Current league positions in brackets) Sunday, February 5 Hearts v St Johnstone Goalkeeper Marian Kello is a doubt with a back injury as Hearts take on St Johnstone. Captain Marius Zaliukas is available again after missing the Clydesdale Bank Premier League loss at Inverness through suspension. John Sutton is poised to move to Central Coast Mariners in Australia on loan, while his fellow striker Kevin Kyle (hip) remains a long-term absentee. St Johnstone manager Steve Lomas has no fresh injury worries and has the option of naming a similar side to the one who narrowly lost to Motherwell last week. The Perth club managed to retain skipper Jody Morris and star striker Francisco Sandaza in the transfer window and both are set to be involved in the fifth round clash. Last season: No corresponding fixture Top Scorers: Rudi Skacel (Hearts) 9, Francisco Sandaza (St Johnstone) 14 Referee: Craig Thomson (Scotland) Rangers v Dundee Utd Rangers have no fresh injury worries ahead of their tie with Dundee United. Manager Ally McCoist is hopeful striker Kyle Lafferty (torn hamstring) and full-back Steven Whittaker (hernia operation) will both be back in action in the next two or three weeks. Steven Naismith, Kirk Broadfoot, Jamie Ness and Kane Hemmings also remain on the sidelines. Dundee United midfielder Danny Swanson will miss the trip to Ibrox. Swanson has returned to Tannadice after going to England to receive sugar injections in his knee, but a lack of training means he will not be risked. Boss Peter Houston will add new signing Milos Lacny to his squad, although he is likely to start on the bench. Scott Severin (knee) and Felipe Mentel (knee) are long-term absentees. Last season: No corresponding fixture Top Scorers: Nikica Jelavic (Rangers) 17, Jon Daly (Dundee Utd) 14 Referee: William Collum (Scotland) |

