De Vries struggling for crunch

PAUL KIDDIE

HEARTS boss Craig Levein today revealed that star striker Mark de Vries is struggling to be fit for the UEFA Cup showdown against Feyenoord.

The Dutchman was discharged from hospital first thing this morning after undergoing treatment on his poisoned toe.

The 29-year-old limped into Edinburgh Airport this morning - wearing a protective sock on the problem foot - for the flight to Rotterdam but is clearly a major doubt for the Group A opener in the De Kuip tomorrow night.

The Gorgie hitman had been put on an intravenous drip for the last two days in an Edinburgh hospital in a bid to reduce the swelling of the toe in time for the big kick-off.

However, before boarding the club charter to the Netherlands Levein admitted the former Dordrecht frontman is a major doubt to make a dream appearance back in his homeland and Levein said: "Mark is with us and travelling to Rotterdam. However, he got out of hospital at six o’clock this morning and is still in pain. We had tried to use intravenous antibiotics to reduce the swelling a bit more quickly than tablets but I’m not sure if it has been successful or not.

"I would have to say I am a bit less hopeful than I was yesterday."

The absence of De Vries would be a massive blow to the Jambos’ hopes of causing an upset with Ramon Pereira also struggling badly with an ankle injury. The Spaniard had the ankle scanned yesterday and the club is still awaiting news of the findings.

The pair are Levein’s only real injury concerns ahead of the Rotterdam clash and he will be desperately hoping to have at least one available, even if only from the bench.

De Vries admitted he would have no chance had the game been today but he’s hoping against hope that he will be able to play some part.

"The toe is still very sore and I’d have no chance if the game was tonight however I’m going to give it to the very last minute to see if I can make it. I shall keep taking the antibiotics and I’ll just have to hope that the swelling goes down because at the moment I can’t even get my boot on."

He added: "I would be absolutely gutted if I didn’t make the kick-off. I have been looking forward to this match since the draw was made and I have about 40 friends and family coming to the stadium tomorrow night. It is obviously doubtful whether I will make it but there is still 24 hours to go and I’m desperate to play Feyenoord."

Taken from the Scotsman