Hand wound could keep Stevenson from Hearts' United clash

NINE stitches in a nasty hand wound mean midfielder Ryan Stevenson is doubtful for Hearts' SPL match with Dundee United at Tynecastle tomorrow.

The player complained of being able to see bone and tendon before being stretchered off in the final minute of Thursday night's Europa League tie against Paksi SE in Hungary.

He is due to be assessed by medical staff at Riccarton but may have to sit out the visit of United due to the severity of the gash. He was stitched immediately after sustaining the injury in a sliding challenge but travelled home in considerable pain on the club's charter flight back from Budapest.

Stevenson has started both Hearts' matches this season as substitute and would have been hoping to feature from the start against United, particularly if manager Jim Jefferies opts to rest anyone from Thursday evening's starting line-up. Should he miss out altogether he will hope to take part when Paksi visit Tynecastle next week for the return leg of the Europa League third qualifying round.

"You have to handle this with the European games with a week in-between," said Jim Jefferies, the Hearts manager.

"You would like to learn from the past and maybe freshen it up but with the injuries we've had it's not easy to do that so we have to get by. Hopefully a few more get fit and we can have that balance."

Jefferies expects United to be Hearts' main challengers for third place in the SPL this season.

"Everyone in the top six, plus Aberdeen, will be better and Dundee United's expectation is to be in the top six.

"Motherwell are a good side, United showed last week with the players they've lost that they're acquitting themselves well.

"United are the main challengers for third place and I don't think that will change this year. I think they'll be up there.

"They've got a good squad of players, they have brought in players that are similar in terms of style so this will be a tough match for both teams."