Miguel Pallardo and Augustyn to resume training

Head coach Robbie Neilson today reported that both players are over their injuries and will come into contention for Friday’s trip to the Highlands.

Pallardo has yet to play this season due to an Achilles injury, whilst Augustyn managed two appearances before a hernia operation last month. The pair have now recovered and are due to train with the Hearts first team on Monday. They could be named in the squad for Inverness if they suffer no adverse reaction.

“Blazej has done some warm-ups and little bits and bobs. We’re hoping both him and Miguel will be back in full training on Monday,” Neilson revealed. “The other players have some time off over the weekend but those two will be in working to try and get themselves ready for Monday. They will definitely be in contention for Inverness.

“Losing our last game at Hamilton was disappointing but we’re focused on Inverness now. The players were off last Sunday and Monday, they trained from Tuesday through to Friday and now they have the weekend off. Next week will be a normal build-up for the Inverness game.”

Soufian El Hassnaoui is ready to step up his rehabilitation from a knee ligament injury. The Dutchman tore his posterior cruciate ligament in July’s pre-season friendly against Preston and is not due to be fit again until November. He was sent home to the Netherlands with his leg in a brace but returns to Riccarton on Monday.

“He was over in Holland for a while doing a wee bit of rehab,” said Neilson. “His leg is in a brace so there isn’t a lot he can do. We hooked him up with a physio over there. He’ll be back in to start his proper rehab with us.

“He didn’t get an operation on his injury, we just rested it and fixed it so it wouldn’t move for six weeks. It just repairs itself when it doesn’t move. He’s on the way back and we’re now looking at six to eight weeks before he should hopefully be ready to play.”