Heart of Midlothian head into their Premiership meeting with Motherwell having experienced some injury difficulties, although they are abating somewhat.
Missing from last Sunday's defeat to Aberdeen, the first loss of the league season, was the spine of the team in suspended centre-back Craig Halkett and injured duo Beni Baningime and Lawrence Shankland. Their absences, in key positions, were keenly felt.
Club record signing, Ageu, was also ruled out with another hamstring injury just as the Brazilian midfielder was getting more and more integrated into the team. Derek McInnes revealed afterwards that the 23-year-old had been set to start for the first time.
To add to the concerns, another key centre-back in Stuart Findlay was substituted late in the game due to an ankle issue. He didn't train early this week but was given an injection to help it settle down. It was hoped he would train today and if he gets by without any issue, the former Kilmarnock man will be in the squad for tomorrow.
Shankland could join him after taking part in training this week. The Hearts captain suffered a training ground injury after a slip towards the end of last Friday's session which ruled him out for Aberdeen. A scan showed nothing serious and he returned to training early this week. If, as expected, he has been able to continue training freely since then, he should be available for selection.
Baningime is making progress with his hamstring problem and is expected to return to action next month, around the time Hearts face Falkirk on December 13, or Rangers a week later.
Ageu saw a hamstring specialist based in London on Wednesday and it was determined no operation is required, meaning he could be back playing early in 2026. The tear is in a different area to his previous two hamstring problems which have slowed the beginning of his time in Gorgie.
Long-term absentees Calem Nieuwenhof and Finlay Pollock remain out.
Motherwell could be without a raft of players. Goalkeeper Aston Oxborough is out with a broken hand, while Jordan McGhee, Zach Robinson, Eseosa Sule and Filip Stuparevic are out long-term. Sam Nicholson and Stephen O'Donnell are doubts and there is uncertainty over Apostolos Stamatelopolous.
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Referee for Motherwell vs Hearts
The referee for tomorrow's game is Kevin Clancy. It will be his second Hearts game this month after he handled the 4-0 home win over Dundee, his only time reffing the Jam Tarts this season. He booked two players that day, visiting duo Ethan Hamilton and Simon Murray.
Clancy took charge of a Tynecastle clash between these two sides back in 2022, sending off Jorge Grant for Hearts, who would go on to secure a 3-2 win regardless. The season before, he ordered off Andy Halliday in Aberdeen on another tough day in the north-east.
Clancy has issued five red cards in games involving the club and all were to Hearts players - Prince Buaben, Juanma, Andy Irving, Halliday and Grant.
He will be assisted at Fir Park by Gordon Crawford and Kevin Buchanan, while Gavin Duncan is lead VAR and assisted by Graeme Leslie.
