Hearts blow as Prince Buaben suffers hamstring injury – but Kyle Lafferty shakes off thigh issue

BY ALAN TEMPLE – @CCP_Sport

HEARTS have been dealt a blow ahead of this weekend’s clash against Dundee after Prince Buaben suffered a recurrence of his hamstring troubles.

The 29-year-old suffered the injury after 70 minutes of the Jambos’ 3-2 defeat against Hibernian in the Development League on Tuesday and will be assessed by medical staff to ascertain the severity of the damage.

Buaben missed four weeks with a hamstring strain in November, while he was also forced to battle back from a groin complaint during what has been a frustrating campaign for the Ghanaian internationalist.

He has not featured for the senior side since playing the second half in Hearts’ 2-0 defeat against Rangers on February 24.

There was, however, better news for Craig Levein, who hopes to see his side secure their top-six place at Dens Park this weekend, after seeing Northern Ireland duo Kyle Lafferty and Aaron Hughes return to full training.

Lafferty, the Jambos’ top scorer with 17 goals in 38 appearances this season, was forced to withdraw from international duty last week after it was confirmed that he was struggling with a thigh complaint.

He suffered the knock during the capital club’s comprehensive 3-0 triumph over Partick Thistle and it was feared that he could exacerbate the issue if he turned out for Michael O’Neill’s men.

The break from domestic action meant Lafferty was able to receive treatment and rest the muscle – and he was deemed fit enough to take part in Hearts training at their Oriam base yesterday.

The former Rangers and Norwich star is expected to be available to lead the line against Dundee this Sunday.

Hearts were also sweating over the condition of Hughes after seeing the 38-year-old replaced after just 18 minutes of Northern Ireland’s 2-1 win over South Korea on Saturday with an apparent leg injury.

The veteran defender has endured a swathe of calf complaints since arriving at Tynecastle last January, which his coaching team at international level – including Jambos assistant boss Austin MacPhee – are acutely aware of so he was substituted as a precaution.

Nevertheless, he was also back on the training ground yesterday.