MX23RW : Monday, November 25 11:27:02| >> :600:275740:275740:
[monks data]
Attendance: 19,667
Hearts logo
Scottish Premiership | Gameweek 33
Apr 6, 2019 at 12.30pm UK
 
Hibs logo

1-2

Haring (25')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Horgan (28', 56')

Hearts handed Uche Ikpeazu fitness boost ahead of derby

Hearts handed Uche Ikpeazu fitness boost
© Reuters
The striker should be back to face Hibs at the weekend.

Hearts have received a pre-derby boost after Uche Ikpeazu made a good start to his recovery from being knocked out against Aberdeen.

The striker – who had earlier netted the winner – suffered a heavy blow to the head as he landed on the turf and will miss Wednesday's trip to Ibrox to face Rangers.

But the signs are that he will be back for Saturday's visit of Hibernian which comes the day after the six-day minimum lay-off for concussion.

Manager Craig Levein said: "He's good. He won't make the Rangers game but I'm pretty confident he will be OK for Saturday.

"The guidelines are pretty strict. He was fine Sunday morning when I spoke to him and he's passed all the tests so far and he feels good.

"We are applying the strict guidelines and provided everything goes well for the rest of the week, and I don't see why it wouldn't, then he should be available for the Hibs match."

With Steven Naismith also out after knee surgery, Hearts will be without their preferred strike pair at Ibrox.

The hosts will be missing their top goalscorer after Alfredo Morelos was sent off against Celtic on Sunday, but they have Jermain Defoe and former Hearts striker Kyle Lafferty competing to step in.

And Levein would not say Rangers will be weakened by the absence of their talisman.

"I would never say that about any team, particularly with the budget Rangers have got," Levein said.

"They'll have other players who are capable of stepping in."

ga('create', 'UA-72310761-1', 'auto', {'name': 'pacontentapi'});
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'referrer', location.origin);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension1', 'By Press Association Sport staff');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension2', '1125d104-4866-4483-a1fb-0047f30efb77');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension3', 'paservice:sport,paservice:sport:club-news,paservice:sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension6', 'story');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension7', 'composite');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension8', null);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension9', 'sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.send', 'pageview', { 'location': location.href, 'page': (location.pathname + location.search + location.hash), 'title': 'Uche Ikpeazu set for swift Hearts comeback after head injury'});

ID:355084: cacheID:355084:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3674:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Hearts manager Craig Levein pictured in October 2018
Read Next:
Craig Levein full of praise for injured match-winner Uche Ikpeazu
>
Read more about Uche Ikpeazu Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Celtic1211103543134
2Aberdeen12101125121331
3RangersRangers12723179823
4Dundee UnitedDundee Utd135531914520
5Motherwell126151616019
6St Mirren145361923-418
7Dundee134362225-315
8Ross County143651222-1015
9St Johnstone144191727-1013
10Kilmarnock133371526-1112
11Hearts142391524-99
12Hibernian131571222-108


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!