9am Briefing: Hearts star Driver's injury woes continue

ANDREW DRIVER'S injury-hit season continues after he was ruled out for at least two weeks with a thigh strain.

The 22-year-old Hearts winger, who has only recently return from the tendonitis which has dogged him for virtually the whole campaign, lasted just 33 minutes of Saturday's 1-0 Clydesdale Bank Premier League win over Kilmarnock.

Driver pulled up at Tynecastle shortly after Suso Santana's winning goal and was replaced by David Templeton.

The former England Under-21 international will now miss Sunday's trip to Rangers and the home match against Motherwell the following weekend.

Manager Jim Jefferies admitted it was difficult to put an exact timescale of Driver's recovery, saying: "I think we are looking at around two weeks at the moment but whatever the timescale it's another disappointment for the lad whose had a few injuries this season."

Bougherra keen to play his part in title quest

MADJID BOUGHERRA admits he is pleased Rangers have not yet wrapped up the Clydesdale Bank Premier League title so he can be involved when they do get their hands on the trophy.

The defender made his first appearance in six weeks last night when he was drafted straight back into the side for the goalless draw against Dundee United after finally recovering from a hamstring problem.

A win for Rangers would have allowed them to head into Sunday's game against Hearts at Ibrox knowing another victory would see them retain the championship.

They must now hope Celtic fail to win against Hibs 24 hours earlier to allow them the chance to celebrate in front of their own fans this weekend – a scenario Bougherra is desperate for.

The Algerian international said: "I'm happy because we have not won the title yet and I can be on the pitch because it's better to be on the pitch.

"We want Celtic to lose or draw because it will be a good atmosphere at Ibrox if we win. It's better to win the title at home."

Murray beaten in Masters

ANDY MURRAY lost his first clay-court match of the season in straight sets to Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber at the Monte Carlo Masters.

The 22-year-old Scot was out of sorts on Court Central as he was broken five times in total by Kohlschreiber, the world No.33, to lose 6-2 6-1 in just over an hour.

The loss continued the world No.4's poor form since reaching the Australian Open final, which has seen him now exit his last two tournament at the first time of asking.

Murray reached the semi-finals at Monte Carlo last year and was given a wild card entry by the tournament organisers, following his late request to play, to kick-off his clay-court preparations ahead of next month's French Open.