Kirk fit to face United

MARK BONTHRONE

HEARTS were today handed mixed news on the injury front with boss Craig Levein revealing Andy Kirk should be fit to face Dundee United tomorrow but Phil Stamp is doubtful.

Kirk was forced to pull out of the Northern Ireland squad to face Serbia & Montenegro in midweek and has been undergoing treatment for a groin strain.

The striker has been responding well and is expected to be available for selection for the trip to Tannadice. Stamp, meanwhile, has had an X-ray on his ribs and although Levein is still waiting to hear the results of the scan he admits the former Middlesbrough man is struggling for the weekend.

"I haven’t heard from Alan Rae (physio) about the results of Phil’s X-ray and, although I don’t think it’s anything too serious, he is doubtful for tomorrow.

"He’s still in a bit of pain at the moment but we will wait and see how he is.

"Kirk should be OK as he has had treatment and I would expect him to be fit in time for the game."

Tomorrow’s game gives the Jambos the chance to move nine points clear of Dunfermline and Levein admits that with the two teams then meeting at Tynecastle next week, it would be a very difficult gap to claw back.

"We will be going up to Dundee United to try and win the game because it would be very difficult for Dunfermline if we were to do that.

"We still feel a bit aggrieved that we didn’t win the last time we were up there as I felt we played well enough."

Taken from the Scotsman