Hearts talisman Steven Naismith is still at least two weeks away from a return – but there was more positive news over the club’s other absentees.
The Scotland striker failed to make Craig Levein’s squad for the 2-1 Edinburgh derby win over Hibs at the weekend that eased the pressure on the manager.
Naismith last played for Hearts in the home draw with Hamilton at the end of August and has been removed from training to make sure his hamstring injury finally clears up.
In better news, midfielder Peter Haring will be back with the squad imminently while Levein is also upbeat about the progress shown by John Souttar , Ben Garuccio and Jamie Walker.
And Levein said of Naismith to Edinburgh Live : "It will be about two or three weeks before he’s back.
"We decided to take him back out of training completely to let the whole thing settle down.
"Peter Haring was there on Sunday and he’s back in the fold and will be back in training. It won’t be long before he’s back.
“Jamie Walker’s getting better and won’t be long either. Naisy will be a couple of weeks, Ben Garuccio’s getting better and John Souttar’s improving as well."
