Hearts manager Craig Levein has confirmed that he may be without Conor Washington for the Premiership opener at Aberdeen.
The Jambos have been struggling in front of goal recently. Their lack of cutting edge led to a disappointing League Cup run, where they were left unseeded for the last 16.
Now Levein has confirmed that striker Washington may miss the Pittodrie clash.
He told the Edinburgh Evening News: “I don’t know if he will make it. Hopefully he will be available against Ross County next week but this weekend might be too soon.”
Hearts need Washington to get firing in the Premiership soon
Washington has featured three times in League Cup action, scoring zero. He has looked a bit rusty over the past few games, but that was to be expected.
You need to go back to February 10 2018 to find the last time he scored a club goal. The Northern Irishman’s last strike was in a 2-1 QPR defeat to Wolves.
Levein needs him to get firing and quick. Steven Naismith has returned on a four-year deal, but he won’t solve all of his striker woes. The likes of Washington need to chip in too.
There was too much pressure on Naismith’s shoulders at times last season. It’s up to the likes of Washington to step up to the plate and help chip in with their share of the goal work.
Washington’s in need of a confidence boost too. Having not scored a club goal since the start of 2018, he needs a couple to make himself believe that he can be a feared striker.
He may miss the Aberdeen clash, but Washington has to get going in maroon sooner rather than later.