Dunfermline pair face fitness race

IAIN COLLIN

DUNFERMLINE Athletic will again be without strike duo Craig Brewster and Stevie Crawford for tomorrow’s third-place showdown with Hearts, but manager Jimmy Calderwood is confident both will be fit for the Scottish Cup final against Celtic.

The experienced Brewster, 37, hasn’t played since the 3-2 semi-final victory over Inverness Caledonian Thistle over two weeks ago because of a knee injury, while Scotland international Crawford, 30, missed the 2-1 win over Celtic last weekend with a groin problem.

With 20-year-old marksman Billy Mehmet also out after picking up a back strain at Parkhead, Calderwood doesn’t have his problems to seek up front as he looks to steer his side to the win that would take them to within three points of third-placed Hearts.

However, the return of Noel Hunt after five weeks out with a knee injury has eased his worries.

Calderwood said: "Brewster and Crawford will be out again, but Stevie should be back for the Dundee United game on Tuesday and I expect Craig to be back for the Rangers game next weekend. With Billy out with a back problem we’re a bit short for strikers but having Noel back is a big bonus for us. He played for the under-21s on Wednesday and obviously came on against Celtic last Sunday, so he’s getting stronger."

Midfielder Darren Young is also set to miss out, but defender Andy Tod has recovered from injury and will be added to the squad.

Hearts midfielder Phil Stamp could be set to return after a fortnight out with a back injury. Andy Kirk will also return to the squad after pulling out of Northern Ireland’s recent draw with Serbia and Montenegro with a groin problem.

Taken from the Scotsman