Jambos striker Carrick is a doubt for the derby as knee injury flares up

HEARTS are concerned striker Dale Carrick could miss Sunday’s Edinburgh derby after a recurrence of his knee injury during Wednesday night’s under-20 match. The 19-year-old resumed training on Monday but had to be substituted after 41 minutes of the under-20s’ win over Partick Thistle. He was due to have the injury assessed today.

Carrick sat out last weekend’s season-opening match against St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park because of the complaint but manager Gary Locke was confident he would be available to face Hibs. The midweek setback now leaves the player doubtful, according to assistant manager Billy Brown. “Carrick injured his knee again. I think it would make him pretty doubtful,” he told the Evening News. “That’s one of the problems we’ve got, we can’t really afford any injuries. However, that’s where we are and we’ll make the best of it. Everybody else who was available last week is available this week.”

The Hearts medical staff are hoping the injury proves to be nothing serious as Carrick is the only recognised striker with any first-team experience in Locke’s squad following the onset of administration.

Gary Oliver scored both goals in the under-20s’ 2-1 win over Partick and is now expected to take his place on the substitutes’ bench against Hibs. The 18-year-old is a centre-forward but has yet to play competitively at senior level. He scored in last month’s friendly win over Raith Rovers at Stark’s Park after coming on as substitute.

Taken from the Scotsman