The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Dons wait on key pair for clash with Rangers
PREMIERSHIP: Late decisions on whether Lewis and Cosgrove make it
Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes is hopeful Joe Lewis and Sam Cosgrove will be fit for tonight’s crucial Premiership fixture against Rangers.
The players were taken off in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Hibs at Easter Road but the Dons boss is optimistic both can feature against Steven Gerrard’s side.
Cosgrove limped off just 19 minutes into the game with a back problem and Lewis took a whack above the eye after he collided with the post attempting to save Stevie Mallan’s free-kick.
Both have been pivotal to Aberdeen’s fortunes this season, with Cosgrove finding the net 12 times, and their presence against Rangers would give the home side’s chances a huge lift.
McInnes said: “I’m hoping both will be fit. Joe’s got a nasty gash above his eye but he’s absolutely fine. The medical staff felt he was going to have to get it stitched and it was going to take a long time. Obviously it’s not ideal but Joe seems eager to play.
“Sam, I think it’s been the consequence of training on hard pitches with the weather. We have been indoor a lot and maybe even the other night on the artificial surface at Stenhousemuir, his back just went into a spasm.
“He felt it a bit on Thursday and hopefully it can be something we can work on and hopefully it can disappear as quickly as it came.
“He certainly feels positive about Wednesday but we’ll see where everybody is.”
Scott McKenna is a possibility for tonight’s game, as he looks to comeback from a hamstring injury, but Mikey Devlin (foot) remains sidelined.
Andy Considine and Tommie Hoban came through the Hibernian win unscathed, with Shay Logan deputising as a third centre-back at times at Easter Road.
McInnes said: “We’ve got a few boys patched up and not quite at full tilt. Because of the midweek game we’ve not really had a chance to get on top of those.”
Rangers, who announced yesterday that they have terminated the contract of Mexican midfielder Carlos Pena, will make a late decision over the fitness of Connor Goldson.
The defender will judge the reaction to a foot issue after Rangers’ final training session before the Pittodrie clash.