The former Bolton centre-half will not face one of his former clubs after picking up a hamstring strain in the midweek FA Cup defeat to Arsenal.
Neill Collins or Leigh Bromby are likely to come into the starting line-up. Striker Luciano Becchio missed out against the Gunners and is also rated as a doubt by manager Simon Grayson, though his chances of playing seem brighter due to having been rested in midweek with a niggling back problem.
Striker Mike Grella is poised to join Motherwell on loan until the end of the season while left-back George McCartney is available again after he was not allowed to play in the Cup tie.
Source: PA