Hearts have suffered another injury blow at a crucial time in the season with Oisin McEntee limping out of Saturday’s 3-1 win over impressive Motherwell.
Derek Mcinnes, Hearts’ head coach, also has Harry Milne and Tomas Bent Magnusson on the sidelines.
McIntee is likely to miss the Jambos first fixture after the split. That is at Easter Road against Capital rivals, Hibs, on Sunday, April 26 (16.30).
McEntee left the field with 12 minutes remaining on Saturday to be replaced by Michael Steinwender.
McInnes was hopeful that the versatile player could have a scan on Saturday night but he said: “We think it is a hamstring. We hope it is not too long, but you would have to say he is a doubt for Hibs.
“Harry is not back yet and Magnusson is out. We could have done with his legs in there. We actually thought about Oisin going into the middle of the pitch if we need that. Altena is an option.”
Central midfielder Magnusson, who suffered a cheek bone injury and was back in training with a mask when he injured his leg during shooting practice, has had an injection.
McInnes said the jab will help with the healing, but he does not anticipate that the 23-year-old will be back before the end of the season.
The head coach added: “We are putting a few fires out at the minute and we have a few unavailable, but every team would love to be as strong as it possibly can be but that is impossible when you have got five games to go.
“Nobody is going to be at their strongest in terms of core so we are going to be reliant on other boys to come in and they have not let us down so far.”
IN FOCUS: Tomas Magnusson meets the media. Picture Nigel Duncan
