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Scots expect Ferguson to recover
 Ferguson fights for possession in an earlier Group 5 tie against Italy GLASGOW, Scotland -- Scotland manager Walter Smith is hopeful captain Barry Ferguson will be fit for their final World Cup qualifiers against Belarus and Slovenia. The 27-year-old Rangers midfielder has been struggling with a hamstring injury and was substituted in his club's 5-1 win over Dunfermline at Ibrox on Saturday. Russell Anderson (concussion) and Steven Thompson (Achilles injury) definitely miss ties which the Scots must win to secure hopes of a play-off place. A Scottish Football Association spokesman confirmed "hopes are high" that Ferguson will be fit while Smith has resisted adding to his squad. Hearts defender Steven Pressley suffered a dead leg in the draw at Falkirk Sunday but is also expected to be available. Scotland need to win both matches to keep up the pressure on Norway for the Group Five play-off spot. Italy are expected to seal automatic qualification, but Smith's team are hoping the Norwegians will drop points in their final two matches -- against Moldova in Oslo and from the trip to Belarus next week. 
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