De Vries a doubt for Pars game

HEARTS striker Mark de Vries is struggling to be fit for tomorrow’s trip to face Dunfermline at East End Park, boss Craig Levein revealed today.

The Dutchman is rated as "doubtful" for the game against the Pars with a hamstring problem picked up during Wednesday night’s CIS Cup defeat at the hands of Dundee.

De Vries had shaken off an ankle problem to be passed fit for that game but with 20 minutes remaining he felt a tightness in his hamstring and he was substituted by Kevin McKenna.

The towering forward has failed to play a full part in training this week and while his condition is gradually improving the match could come to soon for him.

Such is his importance to the Gorgie side, however, he will be given every opportunity to prove his fitness for a game in which Craig Levein will be looking for his side to bring an end to a run of three successive defeats.

Levein said: "Mark has a small hamstring problem. It’s not a tear but more of a tug and it’s causing him problems.

"He was taken off on Wednesday night and he was definitely better yesterday than he was then but I would have to say that he is doubtful for the game."

While losing De Vries would be a blow it would be made easier to take by Gary Wales’ declaration that he is now fit to play having failed to feature so far this term.

Meanwhile, Levein also revealed that his side were due to get their first taste of Dunfermline’s new plastic pitch today.

The Jambos were due to train on the surface this afternoon in advance of tomorrow’s game which Levein admitted would be a useful exercise for his players.

"We are training there just to have a look at it and get us used to it a wee bit. It will help to prepare the players.

"The main thing is for us to decide what kind of footwear we will use for the game but other than that we won’t approach the game any differently from others."

Taken from the Scotsman