Hamstring tear rules out Hearts’ Dale Carrick

Dale Carrick: Fresh injury. Picture: Ian Georgeson

The pacey marksman sustained the problem during last Wednesday’s Under-20s loss to St Mirren and is expected to be sidelined for a number of weeks.

Carrick is left rueing his luck after a thigh injury kept him sidelined for over a month at the start of the campaign.

Neilson also has a number of niggling injuries to contend with ahead of Sunday’s Edinburgh derby at Easter Road, but few are likely to prove insurmountable.

Osman Sow, who grabbed his eighth goal of the season in Saturday’s 5-1 win over Dumbarton, was substituted at half-time at the weekend with a tight hamstring – although Hearts were well on their way to victory by that stage.

Striker James Keatings has missed the last three matches with a groin injury and defender Danny Wilson did also not feature against the Sons due to a hamstring complaint.

Neilson said: “Osman went off with a tight hamstring but it was just a precaution. We were winning 2-0 at the time and I didn’t want to take any risks with him, he’s a big player for us and we’ll make sure he is fit for the Hibs game.”

Sow was replaced by Jason Holt against Dumbarton and the midfielder enhanced his chances of being handed a rare start on Sunday after capping a fine  second half performance with a goal.

Speaking to Hearts TV, Neilson said: “He is a really good player, I like him.

“He has fantastic ability and technique and it’s a shame for him at the moment that he’s not been able to get a lot of game time.

“He came on scored a great goal and linked the play well so he’s definitely given me a  headache for the derby.”