Stevenson back for Hearts
Ryan Stevenson returns to the Hearts squad for the Scottish Premiership clash with Dundee United.
The midfielder has made a quick recovery from a knee ligament injury, although he is not expected to start.
Manager Gary Locke has a full squad but might make changes after his players were taken to extra-time and penalties by Queen of the South on Wednesday night.
Dale Carrick is determined to help push Hearts up the table after firing the club into the quarter-finals of the League Cup.
The 19-year-old kept his nerve to convert the winner from the spot after an epic third-round tie against Queen of the South was decided by a tense shoot-out.
The Jambos - who were drawn against Edinburgh rivals Hibernian in the last eight - now turn their focus back to league business when they host United.
The administration-hit club started the campaign with a 15-point deduction but now sit on minus eight points, with nearest rivals St Mirren having claimed just a single point so far.
Carrick told HeartsTV: "I just want to keep the momentum going and to keep getting goals for the team and hopefully push us up the table more and get some points."
United defender Gavin Gunning serves the final match of his three-game ban.
Winger Gary Mackay-Steven is battling to return from a groin strain while Chris Erskine could miss out again with a knock.
Midfielder John Rankin said: "There is a lot of confidence going around just now because we are on quite a good run.
"If you take away the Celtic game earlier this month, we have been on a good run of form, when you take into account the two cup ties as well.
"We are looking forward to the game at the weekend. There's not a lot of rest at the moment, it's just game after game.
"But when you're winning and you're on a good run, you want to keep the games going. Right now, the games can't come fast enough for us."
Source: PA
