Hearts update on injuries to Josh Ginnelly, Elliott Frear and Andy Irving

Hearts winger Josh Ginnelly’s thigh injury is improving ahead of Saturday’s league meeting with Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

Hearts wingers Josh Ginnelly and Elliott Frear are hoping to return from injury.

Medical staff at Riccarton will assess the problem later this week but manager Robbie Neilson is hopeful the 23-year-old will return after missing Saturday’s Scottish Cup semi-final against Hibs.

Should Ginnelly be deemed too risky, he will rest during the international fortnight and sit out Tuesday’s Betfred Cup tie at East Fife. The intention would be that he is then ready to face Dunfermline in the Championship on Friday, November 20.

“We are hopeful of getting him back for this week,” Neilson told the Evening News. “We tried him last Thursday and he wasn't quite ready but all the signs are fine. We just need to be careful because it's a thigh problem and you need to be 100 per cent sure.

“We will try him again and hopefully get him back for the Inverness game. If not, we won't take any risks with him against East Fife. We then have a couple of weeks to get him ready and he should definitely be back after that.”

Ginnelly’s fellow winger Elliott Frear also sat out the semi-final last week due to a hamstring issue which will also be assessed before the Inverness game.

Midfielder Andy Irving is gradually being reintroduced after a thigh complaint. “Andy went away with the Scotland Under-21s [last month], came back and had a thigh problem. He is still getting over that and isn't quite 100 per cent yet,” explained Neilson.

“With a hamstring, you can get away with a slight niggle but the thigh is something you need to be careful with. We are just taking it easy with Andy and gradually easing him back in.

“He came on in the semi-final and that shows the trust we've got in him. With a few minutes to go in a big cup semi-final, Andy comes on and gives us that stability in midfield. He is a really good player.

“He is a home-grown kid who we want to continue developing. We are delighted with him.

“You get wee injuries from time to time. People wonder why players aren't playing and we don't put it out there, but Andy will be a big part of it for us this season.”

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