MX23RW : Tuesday, April 2 17:40:18| >> :120:14821:14821:
Apr 6, 2019 at 12.30pm UK at ​Tynecastle Stadium (Edinburgh)
Hearts
vs.
Hibernian

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."


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Hearts manager Craig Levein pictured in October 2018
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool32247172195379
2Manchester CityMan City31252481216077
3Arsenal31196665392663
4Tottenham HotspurSpurs312011058342461
5Manchester UnitedMan Utd31187660411961
6Chelsea31186752341860
7Wolverhampton WanderersWolves31128113838044
8Leicester CityLeicester32135144243-144
9Everton32127134542343
10Watford31127124346-343
11West Ham UnitedWest Ham32126144148-742
12Bournemouth32115164358-1538
13Crystal Palace31106153841-336
14Newcastle UnitedNewcastle3298153142-1135
15Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton3096153243-1133
16Southampton3189143550-1533
17Burnley3296173759-2233
18Cardiff CityCardiff3184192859-3128
19Fulham3245232972-4317
RHuddersfield TownHuddersfield3235241859-4114

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