Hearts' Christophe Berra facing longer spell out through injury

Defender sidelined for weeks after missing pre-season
Hearts defender Christophe Berra will be missing for several weeks yet.Hearts defender Christophe Berra will be missing for several weeks yet.
Hearts defender Christophe Berra will be missing for several weeks yet.

Hearts expect to be without defender Christophe Berra for another six to eight weeks as he recovers from an Achilles injury.

He has missed almost all of the club’s pre-season training programme after suffering a minor tear on the tendon in August.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Although he could be back running in the next two to three weeks, the 34-year-old must then work to regain fitness before he can play matches.

Hearts are preparing to start their season without him and may not see him in action until around late November.

“Christophe should be back running in about two or three weeks but he has obviously missed all of pre-season,” explained manager Robbie Neilson.

“It will probably take him about another six weeks to get up to full speed I would think. It's been a tough one for the big man.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It's not a serious injury, it's just taking a bit longer than usual to get back to normal. He has nicked his Achilles a wee bit but it's not a big issue.

“Unfortunately, an Achilles doesn't heal as quickly as the rest of your muscles so it's taking a wee bit longer than we'd hoped.”

Injuries to Berra and fellow centre-back John Souttar left Hearts short in that department, hence the recent signing of the Romanian Mihai Popescu.

He is expected to make his first appearance in maroon against Partick Thistle in a friendly on Friday.

Read More
Hearts get sell-on cash as Callum Paterson joins Sheffield Wednesday
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A message from the Editor: Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you. The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on many of our advertisers – and consequently the revenue we receive. We are now more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription to support our journalism. Subscribe to the Edinburgh Evening News online and enjoy unlimited access to trusted, fact-checked news and sport from Edinburgh and the Lothians. Visit https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/subscriptions now to sign up.

Related topics: