Relief for Hearts over Jamie Walker injury

Hearts' injury woes have eased slightly after it was confirmed Jamie Walker's hamstring injury is not as bad as first feared.

Walker pulled up with a hamstring injury early in the second half of a 3-1 defeat by Rangers last Saturday and there were fears he could be kept out for at least a month in what would have been a serious blow to Craig Levein.

However the wide player is expected to return to face Partick Thistle after the international break to the relief of the manager, who has been forced to field a host of youngsters in his midfield as well as play players out of position.

Levein will welcome back Don Cowie against Kilmarnock at BT Murrayfield on Sunday after the experienced midfielder returned from a calf complaint and he is one of a number of key players nearing a return to action.

Jamie is not as bad as first feared,'' the manager said.He won't make Sunday but I am hoping that him, Connor Randall, Prince (Buaben), Arnaud Djoum and Aaron (Hughes) will all be back for the Partick match.''

He added: You get periods when you don't seem to get any injuries, and then we've had a period recently where we've had a few.

There's been a lot of emotional stuff going on as well in playing away from home and constantly travelling. I think there's a bit of stress involved and that can have an impact on players.''

While Cowie himself has insisted that he is fit and ready to play a part this weekend, Levein was slightly more reluctant in confirming his fitness and admitted to having concerns about Hughes, who is set to join up with the Northern Ireland squad next week ahead of their World Cup play-off against Switzerland despite missing the whole of October through a calf problem.

On Cowie, he said: It's always a worry (he may be rushing back). He has had problems with his calf previously.

I can only trust that he knows best because he's an experienced player and will know where he is with regards to his fitness.

My intention is to get him on the park if he's available.''

On Hughes, he added: I am worried because he's had this recurring calf problem as well.

He has been out since Dundee and has only done one day's training. In an ideal world I'd like him to do a week to 10 days before he comes back in.

If we step back and give him his seven to 10 days of full training, he wouldn't play for us on Sunday, he wouldn't play for Northern Ireland on Thursday, but might be available for their next match.'