Robbie Neilson hopes to welcome back at least two of his injured Hearts stars for the Premiership clash with Celtic.
The Jambos have been hit hard with a large number of players in the medical room with the strains of domestic and European football taking toll on the capital club. Despite their woes, they are only three points behind capital rivals Hibs, having played a game less, in third spot.
Ange Postecoglou's league leaders come to Tynecastle flying having fired four past Motherwell at Fir Park to reach the Premier Sports Cup semi-finals. Liel Abada netted a double while Reo Hatate and Kyogo Furuhashi fired solo efforts in a comfortable victory. That triumph earned a showdown with Kilmarnock at Hampden with just potentially 90 minutes separating the holders from another date with destiny.
