Craig wary of tired players for Pars game

GRAEME CROSER

HEARTS chief Craig Levein will ring the changes for tomorrow’s SPL clash with Dunfermline in order to rest some of his UEFA Cup heroes.

Thursday’s 3-1 victory over SC Braga at Murrayfield earned the Jambos lots of plaudits but Levein is wary of burning his players out and is set to change a winning team.

On-loan Manchester United midfielder Michael Stewart should start at East End Park, while there are also likely to be places for the likes of Dennis Wyness and Neil MacFarlane in the starting XI.

Last season’s UEFA Cup campaign taught Levein his players are prone to tiredness in matches staged in the days following a European clash.

Striker Mark de Vries has only just returned from hamstring trouble and, with Levein reluctant to push him too hard, is likely to sit on the sidelines in Fife.

The changes he does make could potentially weaken the side but the head coach sees the game as an opportunity for some of his fringe players to stake a claim. He said: "I’m going to rest a few players for this match because, from experience, I know that there can be tired legs in the days after a European match.

"There are players here who have been itching for their chance and thinking they need a start to show what they can do and this will be an opportunity.

"Michael hasn’t featured for a variety of reasons so far but he’s likely to play at East End Park.

"Dennis is another who is very much part of my plans but hasn’t played because of the way I want to set up the team.

"He did well when he came on against Braga on Thursday but from the start I was looking for a balance and combination between the strikers.

"I wanted someone with pace and power to play alongside Mark and that’s what Phil Stamp gave us on Thursday. But, as I say, Dennis has a part to play here."

Levein also confirmed that forward Ramon Pereira is making good progress in his recovery from an ankle injury but is unlikely to feature tomorrow. However, he could take part in Wednesday’s CIS Cup tie with Kilmarnock.

Taken from the Scotsman