Ball to make rare start for depleted Rangers

Michael Ball will make a rare start for Rangers against Hearts at Ibrox on Sunday.

Michael Ball will make a rare start for Rangers against Hearts at Ibrox on Sunday.

Gregory Vignal (groin) Paolo Vanoli (calf) are out so Ball will play only his fourth game of the season.

Striker Steven Thompson is still sidelined by an ankle injury and several players have also been laid low by a stomach bug but midfielder Alex Rae is back from suspension.

Provisional squad: Klos, Khizanishvili, Boumsong, Andrews, Ball, Namouchi, Ricksen, Alex Rae, Malcolm, Lovenkrands, Arveladze, Prso, Novo, Smith, Mladenovic, Hutton, Ross, Hughes, Burke, MacKenzie, McCormack.