Robbie Neilson provides update on Toby Sibbick injury after Hearts defender stretchered off in defeat by Motherwell

Robbie Neilson has played down fears Toby Sibbick will miss the Scottish Cup final against Rangers after the defender left the field on a stretcher during the 2-1 cinch Premiership defeat by Motherwell at Fir Park.

John Souttar was among the substitutes, but Neilson turned to Stephen Kingsley to replace the stricken Sibbick from the bench when the young Englishman was carried off in the 74th minute with what looked like an Achillies or ankle injury after a coming together with Motherwell striker Kevin Van Veen.

“The doc doesn’t think it’s too bad and he should be ok for the cup final,” insisted Neilson. “It looked at the time as if he was in a lot of pain and we were a bit concerned, but it seems to be just a bit of nerve damage that he’ll hopefully get over it quickly.”

Some key players returning from injury did get valuable game time under their belts in Lanarkshire, while others were rested with the cup final against Rangers a week on Saturday at the forefront of Neilson’s mind. Before then, however, the Hampden finalists will meet in a dead-rubber dress rehearsal as the league season draws to a close at Tynecastle on Saturday.

Toby Sibbick screams in pain before at Fir Park before being carried off

Michael Smith and Cammy Devlin did get 15 minutes near the end of a game at Fir Park that Hearts controlled in the first half, and Andy Halliday played well for 63 minutes before being replaced.