Peter Haring misses Hearts’ trip to Ireland as Austrian midfielder battles back to fitness

PETER HARING has not reported for Hearts’ pre-season training camp in Ireland as he battles back from the fitness woes which plagued him last season.

The combative Austrian played through the pain barrier for several months prior to undergoing surgery to cure a hernia complaint in January, leading to a two-month absence.

Upon his return, Haring was affected by a niggling pelvis issue but declared himself available for the Scottish Cup final defeat against Celtic.

And Levein has decided that further strength and conditioning training in Edinburgh will be more beneficial to the 25-year-old than the journey to Dublin, which sees the Jambos face Shelbourne at Tolka Park on Monday evening.

Northern Ireland internationalist Michael Smith will also miss the trip as his partner prepares to give birth, while Steven Naismith will be absent because his loan deal from Norwich technically expired on June 30 and he is yet to sign a permanent deal with Hearts.

Rory Currie, Callumn Morrison and Aidan Keena will remain in Scotland as they work on their fitness at home, but precocious defender Aaron Hickey, 16, has been included in the group after his impressive showing in the Scottish Cup final.