Craig Levein faces a return of Hearts ' injury curse with as many as eight first-team players sidelined this weekend.
Steven Naismith is the latest to suffer a setback, with a hamstring niggle leaving him a major doubt to face Motherwell on Saturday.
Michael Smith is battling a similar problem while John Souttar remains out with an ankle issue having not featured since the opening day of the season.
On-loan Manchester United keeper Joel Pereira is still undergoing treatment on a thigh strain at his parent club.
Long-term absentees Ben Garrucio, Jamie Walker, Peter Haring, and Craig Wighton are all unavailable.
Hearts' 2018/19 season was derailed by a string of injuries and casualties are mounting again for the winless Jambos and their under-fire boss.
On Naismith, who was unable to feature in Scotland’s Euro 2020 defeats to Russia and Belgium, Levein, said: “Steven trained on the second or third day after joining up with Scotland and he felt tight.
“We got a scan done and it showed minor irritation. There was a bit of fluid around the tendon so we erred on the side of caution.
“The injury is nothing significant. He isn’t feeling the hamstring at the moment but to get him on the field we need to do a fair bit of work to make sure he is robust enough.
“The last thing I want to do is play him and have to take him off after 15 or 20 minutes.”
Levein , who has faced calls to resign from some fans, also provided an update on Pereira, Smith and Souttar.
He added: “Pereira should be back up here next week and he should get a full week’s training.
“Michael Smith has been outside doing a little bit of running.
"That’s just the first step. It will be touch-and-go whether he makes Saturday or not.
“Souttar’s ankle is improving but it’s not allowing him to do certain things.
“The most difficult thing with the ankle is jumping and that is what is still causing him pain. We just have to wait until that heals.
"At this minute in time, it’s unlikely he will play at the weekend.”
