Hearts are set for a triple boost as they seek to consolidate their third-placed position in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League, with Lee Wallace, Andrew Driver and David Obua nearing returns from injury.
Hearts' bid to add to four successive victories has been scuppered by the weather, with snow and ice causing the postponement of last Sunday's match at Motherwell and tomorrow's clash at Rangers. But manager Jim Jefferies expects Wallace, who injured his knee playing for Scotland in September, Driver (thigh) and Obua (groin) to return in the coming weeks.
Jefferies told Hearts News: "The injured players are coming on fine. It will be like signing three new players when they do come back."
He added: "The weather has maybe set them back a week or so but there's nothing we can do about that.
"David Obua and Driver were ready to step things up and were close to training with the squad before the weather hit.
"It's frustrating for them, too, as training indoors is not ideal for speeding the process up. You are better on grass where there is a bit of give. When you're indoors there can be lot more stress on joints so that's something we have to watch."
Hearts have won six of their last seven SPL matches despite being without the trio and Jefferies is pleased with the strength of his squad.
"We started the season missing around six players but managed to get off to a decent start," he added.
"Then we lost a couple and that upset us a bit and we had to play people out of position but they have settled down in those positions now and have done an adequate job.
"When the others are raring to go it is all about competition for places. We have a good squad here and the bench has been strong in recent games."
Source: PA
