Hearts will have to tackle Motherwell in the Betfred Cup on Friday evening without talismanic striker Steven Naismith .
The summer signing has been ruled out of the Fir Park clash by Craig Levein who is desperate to kick-start the Jambos' season with a morale-boosting win in Lanarkshire.
Levein moved to calm concerns over Naismith, who missed large chunks of last season with two knee injuries while on loan at Tynecastle from Norwich.
But he confirmed: “He won’t play against Motherwell but it is not significant
“He’s been out for a while and come back and I have been keen to get him in the team.
"The good thing is he’s an experienced player and he felt a little tingle in his hamstring and recognised it would be silly to go back out and put himself at risk.”
Hearts go into the game on the back of last weekend's goalless draw at home to Ross County which followed the opening day defeat to Aberdeen.
