“Getting influential players back in the team, like Stevenson and Hamill, will help”

AFTER a draw against St Mirren which might easily have ended up in a win, Hearts can look forward to Thursday’s Edinburgh derby with a measure of hope.

Not only did they pick up a point for the first time in five games, they also welcomed back Ryan Stevenson more quickly than had been expected following his hamstring injury.

The Tynecastle club still hardly have their problems to seek, as they are still on negative points and are not allowed to sign new players when the transfer window opens.

But the influential midfielder will be a valuable addition to Gary Locke’s squad for the game at Easter Road, as much for the effect he has on other players – particularly Jamie Hamill, according to the manager – as for his own individual contribution.

“It will give us a lift going into a big game,” Locke said yesterday. “You saw against St Mirren that getting the influential players back in the team, like Stevenson and Hamill, will help. Stevenson has been a huge loss for us this season: he’s not played a lot of games and if we can keep him fit we’ll certainly give ourselves a better chance.

“It was a massive risk playing Ryan – he’d only trained for three days. But he is a bit of a puzzle – he seems to get back really quickly from injury.

“He said he was fine. I had a good conversation with him before the game, because I didn’t want to play him only for him to break down. He is so important, we couldn’t afford to have him out again.

“He got though the game and he’s okay, so we’re delighted. I