Craig Levein is hopeful Jamie Walker’s thigh injury isn’t anything major but won’t take any chances with the newly re-signed midfielder.
Walker was set to make his second Hearts debut in Saturday’s 2-0 defeat to Glenavon as they rounded off their Irish pre-season training camp.
Walker was in the squad but felt his thigh in the warm up. The player was willing to try and play but his manager saw no need to take any risks.
“He came back in after the warm up saying his thigh was a little bit tight,” Levein explained. “He said he would go out and try it but I felt ‘what was the point?’
“If he’s got a problem then surely we’re better just leaving him. If it’s something very minor we’ll get a chance to investigate that.
“I’m hopeful that it’s minor and that he might appear for some part of the game this evening.”
Tonight is of course the benefit match for ex-Hearts midfielder Angus Beith, who has been forced to retire at 23 due to a hip injury, and Levein is keen to see a big turn out at Tynecastle .
“It’s a sad situation,” he said. “He’s a great kid. He’s had his football playing career snatched away from him but he’s now helping us with coaching in the academy. I’m sure he’ll go on to be an excellent coach and I’m sure the Hearts supporters will turn out to give him a good send off.”
Conor Washington made his first appearance in maroon against Glenavon, and Levein was pleased to get some minutes in to him although admits he’s a bit away from full match fitness just yet.
“He’s a wee bit away from being 100 per cent, as are quite a few of them,” he said. “But Conor Washington will be fine. “It’s just trying to get some training in to his legs and also some game time.
“I’m not worried about him. I was more concerned about pushing him too hard and then he maybe breaks down and that becomes a problem.
“He got through 60, 65 minutes without any problems.”
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