Naismith injury setback for Hearts

In a season plagued by injury Hearts have been dealt yet another blow with the news Steven Naismith has had more surgery on a cartilage injury meaning the on-loan Norwich City striker will be out for around 8 weeks. It’s the second long-term injury to affect the Scotland striker this season but Hearts manager Craig Levein was philosophical.

He told the official Hearts website:“It’s
unfortunate but it is what it is. I think he’s getting a little bit shaved off
his cartilage again. Last time he was eight to ten weeks out.

“I
hope we see him again before the end of the season. He came back really quickly
last time, so I’m hopeful it will be the same again.

“When
he was out previously we had a shortage of strikers. Craig Wighton is back and
fully fit after his ankle problem, and we’ve got David Vanecek and Uche, so
it’s a different situation altogether.”

Hearts defender Michael Smith is also out with a torn muscle in his thigh and isn’t expected to return until the beginning of May.