Hearts who have been hit with a tough injury crisis, will see some return with the Hearts boss giving an update.
Many players may be in contention to return to the team which will be a massive boost following Hearts’ 5-2 defeat at Tynecastle to Falkirk on Sunday.
Wouter Vrancken after being asked when he expects players to return: “Well, they have to make progress.”
He added: “I think Eddie would be back, because he’s already training in the team. Thomas, for sure, because he has his protocol with the concussion.
I think Spitz and Osh will be 50-50 when we come back. Mato, probably, hopefully, when everything goes well. I think these are the players.”
Craig Halkett has spent a while sidelined with injury, but has recently spoke out and stated he is back on grass as he eyes up a return to first-team action, but may still be a good while away from making a return after an interview.
Vrancken said: “Yeah, hopefully not, but probably it’s going to take a bit of time, of course, because he’s on the grass, but not with the group, of course. It’s far from group training, so it’s good for him, I think, that he has this progress and hopefully he can keep doing the progress without setbacks and as a validation.”
Christian Borchgrevink and Kingsley have also been sidelined with recent injuries as the defensive line has taken some beating in terms of injuries.
The Hearts boss said: “Chris is also maybe one who will be on the edge of coming back at this moment.
Steven, we have to wait for the scan tomorrow or Tuesday.”
Hearts have had many young players feature during the crisis with Kabashi making his Hearts debut off the bench, in which the midfielder did very well once coming on after showing good attitude and mentality to go into the game, despite the score.
Vrancken admitted: “Yeah, and you see his quality on training a lot of times, but it’s good because it’s always a doubt, it’s always a gamble.
He added: “He showed personality also and not overdoing it, just play his game simple with quality. Also strong in the duels because this is also not his strong point, but he showed himself there and it was a really positive thing there.”
With a well needed International break coming up, this gives valuable time to get players back onto the pitch, and get back to where they belong after just one win in eight, prior to the international break.
Wouter Vrancken on Hearts’ plans for the week break: “The plans? OK, next weekend I get a few days off for sure, especially the mental recuperation.
The Hearts boss added: “But now we have tomorrow off and then we train again to get the rhythm in the legs and without overdoing it. And individualise it because some players didn’t play too much, other players a lot. So also that, individualise it and then after the weekend, of course, to do another game.”
Hearts will be hoping to get as many players back on the pitch, with a very busy festive period coming up with European fixtures and important clashes with the likes of AS Monaco, Celtic and Rangers.
