Robertson bolstered as trio report back fit

PAUL KIDDIE

HEARTS boss John Robertson has been handed a triple injury boost with Andy Webster, Robbie Neilson and Neil MacFarlane all set to face Dunfermline in tomorrow’s SPL clash at Tynecastle.

The trio trained for the first time yesterday following Sunday’s 3-2 loss to Rangers at Ibrox and have declared themselves ready to face the Pars as the Jambos look to bounce back from the Govan disappointment.

"They all trained yesterday for the first time this week so they should all be fine for tomorrow’s game," said Robertson.

Skipper Steven Pressley is Hearts’ main injury doubt, the Scotland star having failed to appear for the second half at Ibrox after straining his groin.

He was due to return to the training ground today and Robertson is hopeful his captain will be able to line up in his usual place in the centre of the defence against the Fifers.

"We will wait and see how Elvis is," said Robertson. "He has played a lot of games recently and hopefully he will be okay for Dunfermline."

Kevin McKenna is still sidelined by his knee injury, while Robertson will err on the side of caution and keep Phil Stamp on the sidelines as the Englishman tries to shake off the effects of his calf strain once and for all. "We have to get Phil right," said the Hearts boss "and tomorrow might come just too soon for him."

With Hearts trailing third-placed Aberdeen by eight points, nothing less than a win will do tomorrow.

"We have been happy enough with the way we have been playing and the guys have been producing some exciting stuff," added Robertson.

"With Aberdeen having the advantage they do at the moment there is no doubt we need to start catching up and we’ll be going for the three points tomorrow as we try to get back on the rails with a win."

Taken from the Scotsman