| JJ is hoping Marius Zaliukas will be able to take part in at least part of the game against Rangers on Saturday. Zaliukas has begun light training after recovering from the hamstring tear he suffered during last month's victory at Aberdeen. The Lithuanian's return would be helpful as Ismael Bouzid is due to see a specialist over his hamstring problems and Dawid Kucharski (hamstring) and Jose Goncalves (thigh) are also struggling. Left-back Lee Wallace and midfielder Eggert Jonsson filled the central defensive roles during Saturday's 2-1 win over Hibs after Kucharski had to limp off. JJ said: "The good news is that Marius Zaliukas did the warm-up yesterday, did a bit more today and will hopefully train fully with us on Thursday. That's a big positive. I don't think it is Lee's preferred position but he has gone in there and done a good job for the team. We have had to chop and change a lot in recent weeks and played people out of position but they have all done their best, which is all I can ask." Jefferies is unsure whether skipper Michael Stewart will return from a calf injury but expects fellow midfielder Ian Black to be able to play despite the concussion which forced him off against Hibs. The former Kilmarnock manager said: "We'll see how it goes this week with Michael. Blackie didn't train yesterday and we'll watch him as it was a head knock, but we expect him to be all right." |