Levein to make late decision on De Vries

PAUL KIDDIE

HEARTS striker Mark de Vries will be given to the last minute to prove his fitness for tomorrow’s CIS Cup quarter-final clash against Dundee at Dens Park.

The Dutchman required stitches in a shin injury after a challenge with Dundee United keeper Paul Gallagher in the first half of the Jambos’ 2-1 defeat at Tannadice.

Although he was able to play on in the second half, De Vries required attention afterwards and was still in some pain yesterday.

He is a key man for the Gorgie outfit and boss Craig Levein will leave it until the last minute before deciding whether he will make it.

"Mark needed a couple of stitches after the game on Sunday and he was still hobbling about yesterday," he said. "There is a bit of bruising. Hopefully the injury is just superficial and he’ll be okay for the game against Dundee at Dens Park."

Levein also reported a few other bumps and bruises following the clash with the Tangerines but nothing to cause any major concerns ahead of the trip to Tayside.

The Hearts boss, meanwhile, is unsure just what effect the speculation over Jim Duffy’s future will have on Dundee, the Dens manager having been linked with a return to Partick Thistle following the sacking of Gerry Collins at the weekend.

"It’s difficult to know just how these things will work out," he said.

"The players may be thinking that a top-class performance might sway things for him as regards staying. What I would say about the situation at the club now after recent events is that he has got players left with a ‘Scottish mentality’ who will be prepared to dig in."

Duffy admitted today that he has some soul-searching to do as he prepares for the visit of Hearts.

"I’m not looking for sympathy, I never do, but it’s a difficult situation and I do have a few things to sort out," he said.

"I have now been told by both the administrator and Peter Marr that there has been an approach from Partick Thistle. As I said yesterday when you are faced with the possibility of a decision between secure employment and the possibility of being out of work in the near future, it is something you at least have to consider. So far I have not asked for permission to speak to anyone and I know that Peter for one has made it clear he would not welcome any approaches too me.

"What I have said is I would like time to consider my situation.

"I have to be honest and say I do not know what road I will go down and that is what I have to think about first."

He added: "I’ve got a game to get ready for and dealing with that plus all that is going on is not a problem. I’ve got training to take and players’ fitness to check on and that is what is concerning me right now."

Lee Wilkie (hamstring) is a doubt while Jonay Hernandez is struggling.

Taken from the Scotsman