ALLAN McGREGOR and Lee McCulloch could both be back for Rangers this season.

Boss Walter Smith today revealed there is a chance they could be ready for the SPL game against Dundee United at Ibrox on May 10, and the subsequent run-in.

Both players were injured a week ago at Parkhead and have had various scans since.

And Smith revealed: "There is a chance they could be back for the last two weeks of the season. That is the outcome of the scans, so we obviously hope that can be the case."

Chris Burke has delivered the most positive news after injuring his ankle in the Scottish Cup win over St Johnstone. The damage is not serious and he will be back in a week to 10 days.

However, Stevie Naismith's badly damaged cruciate ligament will require surgery.

"We are looking at maybe five or six months for him and that is clearly a blow for the lad first of all, and also for the squad," Smith said.

He also reported American winger DaMarcus Beasley was back in training after five months out with his own knee ligament injury.

Smith said: "He is another who could play in the last couple of weeks. But in his situation, given the time he has been out, we have to balance that against whether it's worth taking a risk for just a few games. We'll need to see."

Kris Boyd has recovered from the food poisoning that ruled him out of the Saints game.

Smith refused to be drawn on the SPL extension plans, saying: "We have the first leg of a Uefa Cup semi-final to play. That is getting my full attention, everything else is in the background for me."

Defender David Weir felt that governing body could maybe have done more to aid Rangers with their fixture plans.

He said: "Like the manager, I have been focusing on the game tomorrow. Looking at the situation, we had one game put off to help us in Europe and the other ones have been for things outwith our control.

"There is a big arguement for the SPL to maybe have helped us out a bit, but they make the decisions.

"As players, we just need to try and get over all the obstacles and have as successful a season as we can.

STEVEN NAISMITH was today facing up to at least six months on the sidelines after scans confirmed he has damaged his anterior cruciate ligament.

The Scotland Under-21 skipper crumpled in agony early on in Sunday's Scottish Cup semi-final win over St Johnstone as his left knee buckled under him.

Yesterday, after travelling to Bradford to see a specialist, he was given the worst possible news. He will have to rest for a month before undergoing surgery, most likely to take place at the famous Richard Steadman clinic in Colorado.

The £2million signing from Kilmarnock has been left devastated by the news that will see him out until most probably October.

Rangers assistant manager Ally McCoist confirmed: "The news from the specialists is a blow for us. But, on a personal basis, clearly it's a real shame for Steven and a huge disappointment for the lad in his first season at the club.

"He had made a good start to his career with us and would have played a vital role in the run-in for Rangers.

"Now the most important thing is for Steven to get the right kind of medical advice and face up to his rehab programme. I am sure he will come back stronger, and everyone at the club will help him towards that goal."

There was better news on Allan McGregor and Chris Burke. The keeper could be back for the last couple of weeks of the season after scans should ankle ligament damage is not as bad as first feared. Burke will return inside 10 days after also injuring his ankle at the weekend. Lee McCulloch, who suffered a foot injury in last week's Old Firm defeat, feels he can play a part in the run-in.