By Graeme Dey

DUNFERMLINE’S STEPHEN Simmons is pinning his hopes of seeing action again this season on a specially-fitted insole.

The midfielder has been plagued recently by an injury to his right foot—missing three games which fortunately suspension would have ruled him out of anyway—but is targeting Saturday’s SPL clash with Dundee United for a return to duty.

“I have had a problem with my foot for four weeks now and it’s not going away,’’ said Simmons. “But I’ve had an insole inserted and hopefully that will do the trick, taking away the pain in training which has been brutal.

“I thought initially I would only be out for a week. I’ve had injections, scans, the whole lot, but it’s not got any better.’’

Manager Stephen Kenny’s rejuvenated Pars are determined to close the four-point gap with St Mirren this weekend—and pile the pressure on a Saints team who have to wait until Monday for their next match at Falkirk.

But Simmons is aware that his old Hearts gaffer Craig Levein will also be gunning for victory after turning United’s fortunes around.

“Craig is doing a fantastic job,”’ he said. “When he took over I think United were bottom of the league and never looked like getting a win.

“Since coming in he has totally changed things, which I knew he would because he did exactly the same at Hearts.

“I really enjoyed working with him. He was always hard on me—but I recognise that’s the way you get the best out of people, and he certainly got the best out of me.

“United have the ability to be up there challenging for a place in the top six next season and if Craig’s record is anything to go by they will do that.

“But this is a game we think we can win, especially since it’s at home.

“St Mirren don’t play until Monday so there is the opportunity to put the pressure on them.

“If we can take the three points and reduce the deficit to just one, that will be in the back of their minds. If we can get it down to one point for when we play St Mirren, it will be a cup final, a war.

“I’m sure all the boys will be looking forward to that game.”

Meanwhile, tickets for the Scottish Cup semi-final replay at Hampden on Tuesday go on sale today.

They can be obtained from the ticket office at East End Park or the ticket hotline (0871 200 1560). Phone orders are subject to a £2 administration charge. Fans can also use www.parsonline.co.uk.

The club is offering a bus and ticket package with subsidised buses running from East End Park at £4 per person. These buses will leave at 5.30pm and take fans straight to Hampden car park. Tickets are available at the ticket office.