Hearts vs Hibernian FC preview - Quartet out for Hearts

Posted Saturday, January 03, 2015 by PA

Hearts go into the Edinburgh derby again without four players.

Osman Sow, Kevin McHattie and Dale Carrick are in light training following injuries while Soufian El Hassnaoui is still out with an ankle problem.

Head coach Robbie Neilson said ahead of the visit of Hibernian: "It should be an entertaining game. The pressure can sometimes get to players and they worry about making mistakes, but its our job to try and take that away from them and make sure that there's a freedom to go and pass the ball. If they make mistakes they mistakes, so be it. We just need to deal with it."

Hibernian striker Dominique Malonga is available.

The Congo striker was given special dispensation to delay his trip to the African Nations Cup in order to face Hearts.

Jordon Forster and Dylan McGeouch are unlikely to return from surgery in time for the Tynecastle clash while Farid El Alagui remains a long-term absentee.

Head coach Alan Stubbs said: "If we can perform to a level that we've shown then I feel we are as good as anyone on our day - the Rangers game was proof of that.

"We will show Hearts respect, but we won't fear them."