On-loan Raith striker returns to Hearts following injury

Raith Rovers’ on-loan striker Dale Carrick has returned to parent club Hearts after just two appearances for the Kirkcaldy side.

The 21-year-old suffered a hamstring injury during Raith’s 2-1 Scottish Cup win over Rangers at Ibrox on Sunday, and subsequent scans by Tynecastle medical staff have revealed damage that will keep him out of action for several weeks.

Carrick been farmed out on loan to Rovers by Hearts boss Robbie Neilson to get some valuable game time under his belt after a previous hamstring tear had kept him sidelined since October.

The forward made his Raith debut in the 1-1 draw at Easter Road against Hibs and then played at Ibrox on Sunday, but he was forced off after just 51 minutes with his latest hamstring problem.

Carrick is expected to be out for at least six weeks, bringing his one-month loan spell at Stark’s Park to an abrupt halt.