Tynecastle player in hospital after fracturing eye sockets

Tynecastle midfielder Dayne Robertson is expected to be out for the rest of the season after fracturing both eye sockets during last weekend's 1-0 loss to Civil Service Strollers in the South East Challenge Cup.

Dayne Robertson also lost two teeth in the collision and is in hospital

The former Strollers player came off worse in a challenge with Ian Ballantyne after 35 minutes at Peffermill last weekend as he attempted to win a header. He is expected to have surgery either today or this weekend having been taken off with suspected concussion.

“Dayne is not in a good way, he’s fractured both eye sockets, suffered a fractured pallet and lost a couple of teeth so he’s in hospital and I’m devastated for him because he’s a top player,” said Tynie boss Steve Vinter.

“We lost Ross McMullen and Robbie McIntyre at the start of the season, they are just returning to fitness, and now we have lost Dayne which is very frustrating , so lady luck has not been with us.”

“I haven’t been able to field as strong a side as I would have liked to at times this season, but I’m still really proud of what my players have achieved so far. Last weekend we let our tempo drop a little bit but it wasn’t a bad performance, and it was our first defeat since the Leith game in October so we’re doing well,” added Vinter.

Tynecastle’s match with Eyemouth United in the first round of The King Cup tomorrow is in doubt due to the waterlogged surface at Saughton.

With the weather continuing to cause disruption to fixtures, leaders Leith Athletic travel to Netherdale 3G for their East of Scotland League clash with Hawick Royal Albert (2.00pm kick-off).

Graham Buckley goes in search of his third straight win as new Craigroyston manager with a trip to Burntisland Shipyard.

“We were excellent at Heriot-Watt last weekend and could have won by a bigger margin,” said Buckley who has signed former Vale of Leithen midfielder Darren White.

Civil Service Strollers are hopeful their pitch at Marine Drive will be playable for the visit of Peebles Rovers, having had their midweek East of Scotland Qualifying Cup semi-final at East Kilbride postponed due to snow.

“The players were really looking forward to Wednesday as it was a semi-final, but now we have to go again next Wednesday and it is frustrating,” said Civil boss Alex Cunningham whose side, in common with other clubs, have had nine matches postponed since the start of November.

Ormiston host Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale at Recreation Park having just signed Scott Devlin from Edinburgh United, whilst Spartans EoS welcome Heriot-Watt-University to Ainslie Park tomorrow in the other league fixture (3.00pm kick-off).