Hearts midfielders in fitness race

By BARRY ANDERSON
Published on 02/11/2012 12:00

RYAN STEVENSON and Mehdi Taouil are injury doubts for Hearts’ SPL visit to Dundee tomorrow.

Medical staff at 
Riccarton are monitoring both midfielders, with Scott Robinson poised to deputise should either fail to prove his fitness.

Stevenson injured his head in a collision with Dundee United’s Sean Dillon in Wednesday night’s League Cup quarter-final and had to be replaced by Robinson early in the second half. Taouil ended the evening with an ice pack strapped to his left calf. Hearts are hopeful both will be available and are willing to make a late decision on them if necessary.

Manager John McGlynn has given Stevenson and Taouil key roles in recent weeks. The former Ipswich Town player has played as an attacking midfielder, in the holding role and out wide since returning to Tynecastle in August.

Taouil, after joining Hearts primarily as an attacking midfielder, has impressed in a more defensive role in front of the back four. Robinson’s versatility would allow him to ably step into any of the above positions.

• Hearts’ SPL clash at home to Dundee United has been put back 24 hours to Sunday, December 23, with a 4.30pm kick-off. The match will be shown live on ESPN.