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Craig Levein not worried about Steven Naismith's workload after injury

Craig Levein not worried about Steven Naismith's workload after injury
© Reuters
The striker has recently returned from knee surgery.

Hearts manager Craig Levein has no fears about Steven Naismith starting three games in eight days after his comeback from knee surgery.

Naismith played 78 minutes of Saturday's 2-0 defeat by Aberdeen in his first appearance in eight weeks.

And Levein is ready to start the forward against Hamilton on Boxing Day as well as the Edinburgh derby three days later.

"I don't think there is any problem," Levein said. "His fitness isn't an issue. He did a lot of work when he came back after his little op on his knee. He has got a good engine already and I have no fears about him."

Hearts only won one match in nine games during Naismith's absence but Levein is confident ahead of the Tynecastle clash.

"It's an important match for us," he said. "I felt good about a lot of stuff we did on Saturday, our football was better. The likes of Steven back in the team helps that.

"We get Arnaud Djoum back, who is one of our best players. So I feel good about this match.

"I know Hamilton had a good result at the weekend against Kilmarnock but I feel that the players are getting their confidence back and that will help us in this match."

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Hamilton Academical manager Martin Canning pictured in 2016
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rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
Championship Group
1Celtic000080265478
2RangersRangers000072234975
3Hearts000046341262
4Kilmarnock00004334951
5St Mirren00003843-543
6Dundee00004454-1041
Relegation Group
1Hibernian00004451-739
2Motherwell00004651-537
3Aberdeen00003549-1435
4St Johnstone00002446-2231
5Ross County00003256-2430
6Livingston00002259-3718
 
First Phase
1Celtic33246380265478
2RangersRangers33243672234975
3Hearts33195946341262
4Kilmarnock33131284334951
5St Mirren33127143843-543
6Dundee331011124454-1041
7Hibernian33912124451-739
8Motherwell33813124651-537
9Aberdeen33811143549-1435
10St Johnstone33710162446-2231
11Ross County3379173256-2430
12Livingston3339212259-3718


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