Four Hearts aces struggle with injury

FOUR key Hearts players are striving to overcome injuries following Sunday's Edinburgh derby in time to face Celtic at Tynecastle tomorrow night.

Striker Kevin Kyle, midfielder Rudi Skacel and wingers David Templeton all incurred cuts and bruises during the 2-0 defeat of Hibs at Easter Road and had treatment at Riccarton yesterday.

Kyle and Skacel are harbouring minor knocks and bumps and Templeton has a dead leg. Suso Santana, the Spanish winger, is still recovering from a knee injury which rendered him an unused substitute.

Templeton's complaint was treated with ice after his substitution on Sunday in an effort to minimise any swelling. Hearts' medical staff hope all four will declare themselves fit but manager Jim Jefferies will not be able to finalise his starting XI until late tomorrow afternoon.

"We have a few wounded. There are a few knocks and a few dead legs," he said. "We'll need a day or two to see how they are before we know who's available to face Celtic."

Jefferies hopes to pair Kyle and Stephen Elliott in attack once again after the latter opened his Hearts scoring account with the second goal at Easter Road.

Kyle is expected to declare himself available but, should he fail to do so, Calum Elliot will deputise in attack.