Hearts squad beat sickness bug ahead of Aberdeen's visit

Hearts head coach Robbie Neilson has reported a clean bill of health ahead of Friday's game against Aberdeen.

The Edinburgh side were forced to postpone their midweek trip to Inverness after only eight first-team players boarded the coach to the Highlands due to a sickness bug.

However, all the players returned to training on Thursday morning and the clash with the Dons will go ahead at Tynecastle.

Neilson said: "Everyone is fine. We shut down the training ground for two days and that allowed everyone to get over the virus and get some rest before the game on Friday night."

The Jambos will now have limited time to prepare for a game they need to win to keep alive their slim hopes of overtaking second-placed Aberdeen, who are 12 points ahead of them having played a game more.

"It has changed the way we usually prepare. We usually build up for four days before a game," added Neilson.

"Unfortunately this week we only have one day but it just means [Thursday] is an important day for us. We have to make the players understand what we want to do and cram everything into one session.

"It's a huge game and sometimes you can have too much build-up to a game. Sometimes it's good not to focus on it and just come in and be ready to go."