Hearts vs Livingston preview - Nicholson fit for Hearts

Hearts midfielder Sam Nicholson is fit to face Livingston at Tynecastle despite suffering extensive wounds in a face-high challenge from the West Lothian club's captain Jason Talbot last weekend.

Hearts have a full squad other than Dale Carrick, who faces six weeks out after tearing his hamstring while playing on-loan for Raith in their Scottish Cup triumph over Rangers.

Head coach Robbie Neilson said: "It's a bit unusual to be playing Livingston two weeks in a row. We took last week's game just to get a Saturday-to-Saturday game, because it was going to get rescheduled to a midweek one.

"It was good for us last week to get the result and it gives us a little bit of confidence to go into this game."

Talbot misses out for Livi after accepting a two-game retrospective ban for his challenge on Nicholson.

Ibra Sekajja faces a fitness race but Brad Donaldson (ankle) and Gary Glen (knee) both remain sidelined.

Lions manager Mark Burchill said: "We put in a decent performance last weekend but we lost concentration at key times and Hearts punished us severely. The way we played gives us confidence that we can do well in this game, especially if the players put in to practice what they have been taught.

"Hearts are a very good side but we will go there looking to get something."