Hearts' Mrowiec to miss derby after booking

ADRIAN MROWIEC will join Eggert Jonsson in missing next month's Edinburgh derby after the Hearts midfielder sustained a one-match suspension for his sixth booking of the season on Saturday.

With Jonsson in the middle of a three-game ban which finishes after the meeting with Hibs at Easter Road on Sunday, April 3, Mrowiec's absence deprives Hearts of another key figure.

The Pole was cautioned after nine minutes of Saturday's victory over St Mirren for tripping Paul McGowan. That has pushed him through the SFA's 18-point disciplinary threshold, triggering a one-game ban.

Mrowiec has become a first-team regular this season after signing a permanent contract with Hearts last summer.

He has managed 30 appearances to date and drawn praise from manager Jim Jefferies for his performances in the defensive midfield area.

On the injury front, Hearts are hoping the two-week international break will help defender Lee Wallace recover fully from a persistent ankle injury in time to face Hibs at Easter Road.

He pulled out of Saturday's match after feeling pain during the warm-up despite taking an injection to combat the problem.

Jefferies will monitor Wallace, winger Suso Santana and striker Calum Elliot ahead of the trip across Edinburgh. He is hopeful that all three will be available for selection.

"Lee was in the team on Saturday but he went out for the warm-up after having an injection and it didn't have the desired effect. So we had to make a quick change. It upset our plans before the game as we were close to handing in the team sheet.

"But that's not an excuse for our poor display. We were so sloppy from the start and gave the ball away."