Nicholson misses out for Jambos
Hearts midfielder Sam Nicholson will miss the Scottish Championship clash with Cowdenbeath after picking up a knock against Dumbarton last weekend.
Kevin McHattie could shake off a knee problem, while Jordan McGhee is also in contention.
Callum Paterson and Dale Carrick have also stepped up their comebacks from injury by playing for the reserves in midweek.
Hearts head coach Robbie Neilson is looking for improvement following their 0-0 draw in Dumbarton.
Neilson said: "We can move the ball quicker, we can get it into wide areas attack betetr areas, score goals.
"There's a lot to work on and we have worked on it durting the week, and hopefully we can put it inot action during the game."
Cowdenbeath will be without the injured Kenny Adamson (foot), Sammy Stewart (groin) and Craig Sutherland (knee) again as they look to bounce back from last weekend's last-gasp 3-2 defeat to Hibs.
Manager Jimmy Nicholl has added midfielder Declan Hughes, signed on loan from St Mirren, and the 19-year-old is expected to feature at some stage at Tynecastle.
Nicholl said: "It was horrific to go from 2-1 up to losing 3-2 (against Hibs), but we have to forget about that and be ready for a really tough game.
"Scoring twice last week shows everyone that we are a side that are dangerous when we attack, but we simply have to defend better."
Source: PA
