Stewart a doubt for city clash

PAUL KIDDIE

HEARTS midfielder Michael Stewart looks set to miss Sunday’s derby showdown with Hibs after limping out of the weekend defeat by Celtic with a groin injury.

The Manchester United loan star was forced out of the Tynecastle clash after just 12 minutes, Stewart pulling up and immediately signalling to the bench that he couldn’t continue.

Stewart reported to the club’s academy at Riccarton for treatment yesterday and boss John Robertson was hoping to find out today the full extent of the problem, although he was bracing himself for bad news.

"Michael looks like he has done something to his groin," he said.

"He has had a double hernia before so we will have to see if it is an old problem or something new.

"Our physio Alan Rae had a look at him yesterday and I will have a better idea later today. It is obviously a concern and Michael has to be rated as a major doubt for the Hibs match at the moment. That is a blow for us as he has been playing very well recently."

Robertson reported no other injuries in the aftermath of the disappointing 2-0 defeat to the champions, although with Patrick Kisnorbo completing a two-match ban at Easter Road this weekend, Stewart’s absence will further diminish Robertson’s creative midfield options.

The Jambos back line was given a torrid time by Chris Sutton and John Hartson but the Hearts boss will be able to recall Scotland defender Andy Webster, the centre-half having served his automatic one-match ban against Celtic.

The Gorgie outfit will head across the Capital desperate for the victory which will kick-start their league campaign and keep their arch rivals within sight yesterday’s 4-1 win over Dundee United at Tannadice meaning Tony Mowbray’s in-form side can surge 12 points clear of Hearts if they win on Sunday.

That is a prospect which the Gorgie faithful will find unpalatable and Robbo knows a good result could set his side up for a strong second half of the SPL campaign as they look to claw their way back into contention for a third place finish for the third consecutive season. "Hibs are playing great at the moment and you have to give credit where credit is due," he said.

"They are playing well, playing with confidence and scoring goals and there is no doubt Sunday is going to be a tough, tough, match for us.

"But the incentive is there for us to go out and do well also.

"We will be going to Easter Road looking to try to win the game and if we can get the points then we will pull ourselves right back into things and back into the fight for third place again."

Taken from the Scotsman