Injury news is mixed for chief Levein

MARK BONTHRONE

THERE was mixed news on the injury front for Hearts today with boss Craig Levein revealing that Kevin McKenna should return against Partick Thistle tomorrow, but Phil Stamp and Andy Webster look set to miss out.

McKenna was substituted during the Jambos’ dramatic 2-2 draw with Celtic last weekend after a clash of heads with Bobo Balde and sat out the midweek trip to Fir Park.

However, he is back in training and feeling no ill effects from that knock, and with Hearts still awaiting the results of an X-ray on Christophe Berra to determine whether he has suffered a broken nose, the Canadian is likely to start in defence.

Stamp, meanwhile, is definitely out of the clash in Maryhill with a back injury which has forced him to sit out the last two matches.

Webster, who has not played since the game against Rangers last month when he picked up an ankle injury, is also "unlikely to feature" according to the Hearts boss.

"Kevin McKenna is back in contention which is good news," said Levein.

"We are still waiting on the X-ray results to see the extent of the problem with Christophe and we will just have to wait and see the outcome of that before we make a decision on him. Stamp, unfortunately, won’t make it while it’s unlikely that Webster will feature either."

Better news for the Tynecastle boss is that Neil MacFarlane, who was struggling with a thigh knock, has shaken off the problem and is available for selection.

Meanwhile, Levein has admitted that a win at Firhill tomorrow would put his side in a commanding position to go on and clinch third spot and the UEFA Cup qualification that goes with it. The Tynecastle boss said: "We are nine points ahead and have such a superior goal difference that is like being ten points clear.

"If we could grab another three tomorrow then it would put the pressure on Dunfermline and give them a very difficult task to catch us.

"The fact that Partick look to be out of things at the bottom, however, could allow them to relax and play a bit more so we will have to be careful as we know they will give us a hard game."

Taken from the Scotsman