Euro sweat for De Vries

HEARTS boss Craig Levein was today facing a major injury sweat over star striker Mark de Vries after the Dutchman hobbled out of his side’s CIS Cup victory over Kilmarnock.

The 29-year-old was due to undergo X-rays today in an Edinburgh hospital amid fears he may have broken his foot in the first half of the Jambos’ 2-1 triumph at Tynecastle.

The towering front man was hurt midway through the opening period of last night’s encounter and is now a major doubt for the European showdown against Braga in Portugal a week today, when Hearts will go into the return defending a 3-1 lead from the first leg at Murrayfield.

Levein is desperately hoping the front man’s injury jinx hasn’t struck again - yesterday’s match was just his third competitive outing since recovering from a hamstring tear at the end of July - although the initial indications do not look encouraging.

De Vries limped out of the ground with his foot heavily strapped and will miss Saturday’s league visit of struggling Inverness Caley Thistle, with Levein anxiously waiting to assess what his chances may be of being available for Braga.

"Losing Mark de Vries was a blow," said the Hearts boss.

"He cleared a ball midway through the first half and caught the studs of a Kilmarnock player on the top of his foot. He was in a bit of pain and it doesn’t look good. It’s just the way things have been going in the striking department this season but we just need to get on with it.

"We will get him looked at today and obviously he is a big concern. I don’t like to speculate about injuries and the fact he was able to play on until half-time suggests it may not be a break.

"But having said that adrenaline can keep pain at bay. I am desperately hoping it is not too serious."

Two-goal hero Paul Hartley, meanwhile, sent another message to Scotland boss Berti Vogts with a match-winning display against Jim Jefferies’ side.

His outstanding form for the Jambos has brought increased calls for a call-up to the international squad and the midfielder today spoken of his dream of pulling on the dark blue jersey.

"Obviously I want to play for my country," he said. "But the priority for me at the moment is doing well for Hearts and it’s great that the manager has continued to show faith in me. If I can keep playing well then you never know but the priority at the moment is doing well at club level.

"If it doesn’t happen, then there is not a lot I can do about it."

He added: "I am playing reasonably well but I can keep improving. It was pleasing to get the two goals against Kilmarnock last night and book our place in the quarter-finals of the CIS Cup.

"The first was just there to be hit while the second one was an excellent move.

"I took time to win over the fans when I first arrived but hopefully they are appreciating the work I am putting in for the team."

Taken from the Scotsman