Pearo's heel has had some time to mend and Leitch's niggling shoulder problem will have been rested. Alex Burns still needs time to allow the bone in his foot to recover. It may be that the postponement of next week's game against Dunfermline, meaning that we will have played only on game in a four week spell, could give ample recuparation time to these injured players and it is possible that Terry Butcher could let that affect his team selection.
We are only eight games into the season and yet our visitors are already ten points ahead of us in the table. They have scored twenty six goals to our nine. On paper it looks like a foregone conclusion and the bookies back that view.
But when the teams run out in front of the BBC cameras on Sunday the atmosphere inside the ground is almost certain to give the home side the better lift. Our youngsters are still inspired by the roar of a tightly packed crowd and their enthusiasm for the struggle could give the visitors a shock.
Gordon Marshall has faced the Rangers attack many times and his experience will be crucial. Ahead of him will be a settled back four which will still be confident after the clean sheet at Tannadice last outing.
The young guns at the sharp end of the team will run, press and harry the opposition and we will attack whenever an opportunity presents itself. In short, we will 'have a go'. That is what the home fans will demand and the team will be encouraged to give their all.
As for the opposition? Well, the motley crew of foreigners assembled by The Ginger One may be slighty more interested in collecting a Champions League bonus the following midweek and they may not relish a physical encounter on a chilly October afternoon at Fir Park.
No one will give much for our chances but this could be the time for a 1-1 draw.