Liam Boyce is expected to make a Hearts return when football resumes following the winter break.
The 30-year-old striker hasn't featured since the home defeat to Rangers at the beginning of December.
He was on the verge of a comeback when he felt a twinge to his calf and was not risked against Ross County on Boxing Day as a result.
However, manager Robbie Neilson predicts he will be 'bang on it' for their match against St Johnstone on January 18.
He said: "Boyce's calf tweaked again. He was back training and doing a bit of running, then he just felt a wee bit of a twinge.
"We decided there was no point in risking him against Ross County last week.
"I would think that, with this three-and-a-half-week break, he should be bang on it coming back in."
Neilson is also hopeful that Beni Baningime will return for the same fixture.
Hearts have been without the midfielder for five weeks after he injured his knee against St Mirren at the end of November.
Neilson added: "I’m hoping Baningime will be fine for the St Johnstone game.
"The original plan was to have him back for the Scottish Cup game (against Auchinleck Talbot) on the 22nd.
"St Johnstone is a few days earlier but we would hope to have him back for that."
