Hearts manager Craig Levein is hoping captain Christophe Berra will be available for Friday’s Edinburgh derby at rivals Hibs after the defender was given the all clear by the club’s medical staff over a head knock.
The Scotland internationalist collided with Motherwell’s Craig Tanner in the 88th minute of Sunday’s disappointing 2-1 Scottish Cup quarter-final defeat, but still managed to complete the game.
Despite the nature of the injury, it is understood that medical checks determined that 33 year-old did not suffer concussion and Levein is keeping his fingers crossed that the centre-half will be in contention for the televised showdown at Easter Road.
That news will come as a boost as Hearts attempt to close the nine point gap on their fourth placed opponents.
Hearts defender John Souttar was forced to sit out matches against Partick Thistle and Ross County last November after sustaining concussion during a Scotland Under-21 clash with Latvia.
Departure
Hearts, meanwhile, have confirmed the departure of third choice goalkeeper Viktor Noring, with the 27-year-old agreeing to join Swedish second tier outfit Landskrona BoIS in his homeland.
Noring, who was behind Jon Mclaughlin and Jack Hamilton in the Tynecastle pecking order, joined Hearts on a two-year deal in summer 2016 and made a total of three appearances, his last coming in the May 2017 defeat at Celtic.
Noring said: “When the possibility of playing for BoIS appeared, I could not say no.
“The days I spent in the club convinced me that there is enormous potential here.
“I’m really looking forward to joining and contributing to what I can for the team.”
