The Gers’ assistant boss Ally McCoist will also be able to patrol the touchline after winning his appeal against a charge of misconduct following his altercation with Hoops boss Neil Lennon in the same game.

It is a timely boost for Walter Smith’s side, who travel to face the Dons knowing three points are a must to keep the pressure on Old Firm rivals Celtic (4/9 SPL Outright) in the battle for the SPL crown this season.

Rangers (13/8 Outright) could trail Celtic by five points going into the game should the Hoops win at St Johnstone on Tuesday (21/20 Celtic and Rangers Win Old Firm Double Enhanced Multiple), while a shock defeat for Lennon’s men would give the Gers top spot to aim for.

However, despite Richard Foster being ineligible to play under the terms of his loan agreement, Kris Broadfoot, Lee McCulloch and Vladimir Weiss all missing due to respective foot, knee and foot problems, the visitors will fancy their chances of victory.

Rangers have won three and lost just once in their last six away games so go into the match in good shape on the road, despite the recent shock 1-0 home defeat against Dundee United at Ibrox.

Craig Brown’s side have endured a miserable season and they will probably go into the game with one eye firmly on this weekend’s Scottish Cup semi-final showdown against Celtic.

The Dons chief also has a myriad of injury problems to contend with as defender Rory McArdle and striker Scott Vernon are definitely out and there are serious doubts over David McNamee, Zander Diamond, Derek Young and Nikola Vujadinovic.

Captain Paul Hartley was pulled out of a game at Cove Rangers on Monday and he might have to play some part, despite not being 100% fit.

The Dons lost their previous home game 1-0 to Hibernian on Saturday, while they have won three and lost two of their last six on home soil.

Therefore, the onus is clearly on Rangers to focus fully on securing maximum points against an under-strength and under-performing Aberdeen outfit that is also distracted by a big day out at Hampden Park on Sunday.

There can and will be only one winner in this contest!

Prediction: Draw/Rangers Half Time/Full Time @ 3/1
Value Bet: Diouf & Rangers 2-0 Scorecast @ 22/1

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Liverpool

The Reds have endured a difficult campaign and the pressure has mounted on Hodgson after they recently dropped into the Premier League’s relegation zone.

However, second half goals from Sotirios Kyrgiakos and Fernando Torres (14/1 Premiership Top Scorer) – his first since August – ensured Jamie Carragher’s unfortunate own goal sandwiched in between did not prevent them from dropping more points.

Liverpool remain in the Premier League’s drop zone on goal difference, but they will have been boosted to finally get a much-needed win under their belts.

A relieved Hodgson felt his players deserved the win on the balance of play in which they dominated the opening 70 minutes.

He said: “I thought the passing and movement was as good, if not better than it’s been but we were more incisive. We got in more crosses, got more bodies into the box for crosses, we had an enormous number of corner kicks and looked dangerous from those corner kicks, which is nice to see.”

The former Blackburn boss will also have been heartened by the news Dutch hitman Kuyt could be back in action for the Reds within a month.

It was feared that the 30-year-old would be missing for up to five months with an ankle injury he picked up on international duty in the Netherlands’ Euro 2012 qualifier against Sweden a fortnight ago. However, he is hoping to be back in time for the busy schedule of games in December.

Kuyt said: “I had a second scan and the doctor has now told me that they do not need to operate on my ankle. That is such a relief.

“The doctor says I could be back in the Liverpool team within one month.”

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Liverpool

The Reds have endured a difficult campaign and the pressure has mounted on Hodgson after they recently dropped into the Premier League’s relegation zone.

However, second half goals from Sotirios Kyrgiakos and Fernando Torres (14/1 Premiership Top Scorer) – his first since August – ensured Jamie Carragher’s unfortunate own goal sandwiched in between did not prevent them from dropping more points.

Liverpool remain in the Premier League’s drop zone on goal difference, but they will have been boosted to finally get a much-needed win under their belts.

A relieved Hodgson felt his players deserved the win on the balance of play in which they dominated the opening 70 minutes.

He said: “I thought the passing and movement was as good, if not better than it’s been but we were more incisive. We got in more crosses, got more bodies into the box for crosses, we had an enormous number of corner kicks and looked dangerous from those corner kicks, which is nice to see.”

The former Blackburn boss will also have been heartened by the news Dutch hitman Kuyt could be back in action for the Reds within a month.

It was feared that the 30-year-old would be missing for up to five months with an ankle injury he picked up on international duty in the Netherlands’ Euro 2012 qualifier against Sweden a fortnight ago. However, he is hoping to be back in time for the busy schedule of games in December.

Kuyt said: “I had a second scan and the doctor has now told me that they do not need to operate on my ankle. That is such a relief.

“The doctor says I could be back in the Liverpool team within one month.”

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West Brom

The Scotland international had been a summer target of West Ham, with Albion turning down three bids from the Londoners for the 23-year-old.

He only agreed a new deal with the Baggies in January but, underlining how desperate Roberto Di Matteo was to hold on to him, Dorrans was offered fresh terms and he has now penned a new four-year contract with the option of a further year after that.

The midfielder scored 18 goals in all competitions to help West Brom (40/1 to be top Midlands club next term) win promotion back up to the Premier League last season and Di Matteo is looking forward to building a team around him in the top flight.

“I’m delighted Graham has signed a new long-term contract, which is fully deserved,” the boss said on the club’s website.

“He made excellent progress last season and we’re now very hopeful he can make the step up to the Premier League.

“There has been a lot of media speculation about Graham’s future, but it hasn’t affected him one bit.

“Ever since he has reported back for pre-season training, his attitude has been as spot on as it always is and I know for a fact how much he’s looking forward to the new season.”

He added: “The exciting thing is that Graham knows he still has a lot of work to do and is yet to reach his full potential.”

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