Hearts v Dunfermline Athletic
HEARTS club captain Gary Locke was yesterday rated highly doubtful for next week's Scottish Cup final against Rangers.
The full-back, whose season has been dogged by injury, is now in a desperate race against time to be fit for the match. His manager, Jim Jefferies, said that he would be given every chance to show his fitness but admitted that, at this stage, Locke was extremely doubtful.
Hearts leave for a pre-cup final training camp at Stratford Upon Avon on Sunday, but Locke will remain behind for further treatment. ''We will make a decision on Gary next Thursday,'' said Jefferies yesterday.
''If he does miss the game, it will be a big disappointment for him, but he has a lot of cup finals ahead of him and he has a big part to play at the club in the future.''
The latest blow for Locke follows the injury seven minutes into the final that Hearts lost 5-1 to Rangers two years ago. That also caused him to miss their 4-3 defeat by the Ibrox side in the following November's Coca-Cola Cup final.
Jefferies said he would be taking a 20-man squad down south to prepare for the Scottish Cup final and admitted that, although his team was nearly settled in his mind, there were one or two positions still up for grabs. The Hearts manager may rest a number of players for today's game against Dunfermline Athletic, but he has brought back full-back Neil Pointon into the squad.
If the Englishman plays, it will be his last appearance in a Hearts jersey as he is returning south of the border in the close season.
Meanwhile, Dunfermline, buoyed by their draw against Celtic on Sunday, are confident of keeping up their runs of successes, although they have an injury worry over top scorer Andy Smith as they travel to Tynecastle looking to finish the season in sixth position.
It would complete a remarkable turnaround of events for the Fifers, who have gone five games unbeaten to secure their premier status having been tipped for the drop by many only a month ago.
Craig Robertson is ruled out, while Stevie Welsh is also doubtful, but last weekend's goal hero, Craig Faulconbridge, has shaken off an ankle injury picked up in a reserve game during the week and should be available. Paton believes he has the nucleus of a good young side for the coming season, his back-four players against Celtic having included three 22-year-olds and one who was 21.
BOOKIES' VIEW: Hearts - 4-5, Dunfermline - 5-1, Draw - 13-5.
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