Craig Levein says Andy Kirk needs to rest

"He was not training very much and was really just playing games towards the end," said Levein.

"It was getting worse and worse, and that is why he had to come off during the last game of the season against Dundee at Tynecastle.

"We did not want to give him injections, and the doctor has advised him to rest it over the summer.

"So we have contacted the relevant authorities requesting that Andy be withdrawn.

"He may have to report in any case, but we have asked that he is not played.

Worst enemy

"I know he will be disappointed at not featuring. But he is a young lad and he would not have done himself justice if he had played.

"He is trying to win a place in the Northern Ireland team on a regular basis and would be doing his best to impress.

"Andy can sometimes be his own worst enemy. If he has a problem he tends not to say anything about it but just comes in and gets on with things.

"He does not always tell me when he is struggling. That can be good in some ways but also bad in others."