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

Lawrence Shankland has handed new Hearts boss Neil Critchley a major boost by returning from the hamstring injury that forced him out of the Scotland squad.

The striker has trained all week and is expected to be fit for Saturday’s clash with St Mirren. Shankland had reported for international duty with Steve Clarke's squad but then had to drop out because of the injury he suffered in the narrow defeat at Aberdeen. The 29-year-old had the hamstring issue scanned but the good news is there was no lasting damage.

Shankland was able to rest it and ice it over the international break and is now itching to get back into the domestic action against Hearts. He has trained under Critchley over the last couple of days. The former Queens Park Rangers and Blackpool boss, who was appointed earlier this week, will look to get off to winning ways when he makes his Tynecastle bow 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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