Wales in Jambos squad for Dundee

PAUL KIDDIE

HEARTS boss Craig Levein is set to end months of frustration for striker Gary Wales by including him in the Jambos squad for tonight’s CIS Cup quarter-final clash against Dundee at Dens Park.

The 24-year-old has been plagued by injury since the summer and has yet to feature in the first team this term after being sidelined by two separate foot injuries.

Wales, though, has been working hard in training and is set to see his efforts rewarded with his inclusion in a first-team squad for the first time this season as the Gorgie outfit heads to Tayside looking to secure a much-needed financial boost by clinching a semi-final spot.

"Gary Wales has been looking more like himself in training and will be in the squad for tonight’s game," said Levein.

The Tynecastle star’s availability comes as a timely lift for his manager, who has a worry over star striker Mark de Vries, the Dutchman having required stitches in a shin wound sustained in the first half of the 2-1 defeat against Dundee United on Sunday.

Levein is anxious to have the towering front man in his line-up this evening and will give him a late fitness test before finalising his plans.

Phil Stamp will return to the midfield after being suspended for the Tannadice clash - he completes his league ban this weekend against Dunfermline - and Levein’s options in the middle of the park have been bolstered further with Paul Hartley’s recovery from the face knock suffered against Bordeaux last week.

Both clubs are in dire financial straits and Levein acknowledged the importance of tonight’s game from a monetary perspective, with a semi-final berth worth a potential £250,000.

"Dundee need the money but so do we," he said, "and that will be stressed during our team talk before the game.

"Looking from the Dundee players’ point of view they will be seeing this competition as a chance to safeguard their own futures for another couple of months. This puts added pressure on both sides but the cash is vital. Every single bit of added income from cup ties is more vital than it ever has been.

"The significance of this game is far greater than normal. Everyone wants to get to a semi-final of a cup."

Taken from the Scotsman