Cancelled clash good for Hearts

PAUL KIDDIE

HEARTS boss Craig Levein is hoping the postponement of Saturday’s SPL clash with Dundee could prove to be a blessing in disguise for the Jambos.

Both Scott Severin and Kevin McKenna would have missed out at the weekend through injury but Levein is hoping the extra few days rest will have seen their chances of making tomorrow’s rescheduled fixture improve.

Severin has played through the pain barrier in recent weeks after struggling to shake off a groin problem but took a kick on his knee in the 0-0 draw with Motherwell at Tynecastle, and would not have been involved against the Dark Blues.

Levein also revealed that he had resigned himself to having to do without the services of McKenna for the trip to Tayside, the Canadian internationalist having been laid low by a back injury.

However, with a frozen pitch putting paid to the weekend meeting, the game has been rescheduled for tomorrow (kick-off 7.45pm), and both players will be hoping the added time works in their favour.

Inspirational skipper Steven Pressley was set to return after injury on Saturday and he will now be "spot-on" for tomorrow, according to his manager.

"We were ready to play on Saturday and were disappointed that it was called off," said Levein.

"There is nothing we could have done about it and I’m just hoping that Dundee have now had their covers down and that the improvement in the weather has helped the state of the park, and that it goes ahead tomorrow.

"Both Scott Severin and Kevin McKenna wouldn’t have been involved at the weekend because of injury so with a bit of luck the few days will maybe make a difference to their chances.

"We will just have to wait and see how they are today. Steven Pressley would have played against Dundee on Saturday and I think that he will now be spot-on for tomorrow’s match."

Mark de Vries came off the bench against Motherwell but he will be fully fit to face the Dens Parkers, while Paul Hartley, who was forced off at half-time against the Steelmen with an ankle injury, has also recovered and will be fit for consideration.

The postponement of the SPL fixture has meant the clubs’ Under-21 clash this evening has had to be called-off, with Dundee not having enough players to service both games.

Taken from the Scotsman