Source: PA
Wallace returns for Hearts
Lee Wallace will return to the Hearts squad for the Clydesdale Bank Premier League fixture at St Mirren but Rudi Skacel is set to miss out.
Wallace has been out since September with a knee injury but has impressed in training and a calf injury to Skacel could increase the involvement of the left-back.
Skacel has been playing with a small tear in his calf, but manager Jim Jefferies anticipates the Czech Republic midfielder should be fit to play in the New Year's Day derby with Hibernian.
Ruben Palazuelos has been operating at left-back during Wallace's absence as Hearts have enjoyed a run of eight wins and a draw in the last 10 games. But Skacel's calf problem could see Palazuelos return to his favoured midfield role and Wallace introduced.
Jefferies, though, may favour a straight swap and may resist the urge to throw Wallace in from the start.
David Obua (groin) and Jason Thomson (ankle) are nearing returns, but Andrew Driver (thigh) and Suso Santana (knee) remain a few weeks away from action.
