Lawrence Shankland hands Hearts boss Neil Critchley huge boost ahead of Tynecastle bow.

The striker – who missed Scotland duty to a hamstring complaint – has trained all week and is likely to be fit to play the Buddies Lawrence Shankland has provided new Hearts boss Neil Critchley a big boost by returning from the hamstring injury that ruled him out of the Scotland camp.

The striker has trained all week and is expected to be fit for Saturday’s match against St Mirren. Shankland had reported for international duty with Steve Clarke’s team, but had to withdraw due to an injury sustained in the close defeat against Aberdeen. The 29-year-old had the hamstring issue examined, but the good news is that there was no permanent damage.

Shankland was able to rest and ice his injury over the international break, and he is eager to return to domestic action against Hearts. He has been training under Critchley for the past few days. The former Queens Park Rangers and Blackpool manager, who was appointed earlier this week, will seek to start on a winning note when he takes over at Tynecastle on Saturday. He also knows Shankland, who netted 31 club goals last season, could be a key figure in his newly-inherited squad.

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