Hearts to deploy balancing act with returning players amid new blow and rotation game that hit the buffers
Hearts are hoping to see players back from injury after the international break.
Hearts head coach Wouter Vrancken insists he will have to play a balancing act with his returning players after recent injuries decimated his ranks.
The Jambos entered the international break off the back of a bruising week that included three losses, the last of which was a 5-2 home defeat versus Falkirk. Centre-back Malachi Fagan-Walcott was the latest player added to the sizeable injury list with a muscle problem but reinforcements, barring any setbacks, are on the way.
Ageu and Tomas Magnusson could return to play the next time Hearts are in action against Dundee, a week on Saturday. Versatile players Rogers Mato, Blair Spittal and Oisin McEntee are also making progress in their comebacks from recent issues, as is right-back Christian Borchgrevink. Vrancken previously confirmed a scan was due earlier this week for defender Stephen Kingsley and he could miss time beyond the international break. Firm details on Fagan-Walcott’s issue are yet to emerge.
How will Hearts use the international break?
Fans are keen to see key stars like the aforementioned players return ASAP to try and arrest a poor run of form that’s resulted in one win from eight but balance is needed. Vrancken’s attempts to rotate amid a hectic fixture schedule were squashed as injuries mounted but taking risks ahead of returns to play is not something he’s keen on.
He told the Evening News: "Yeah, that balance, it's not always easy to keep the balance. Because when you're out on numbers you have to play some players and then when you play them too much it's always a risk. You saw also with Malachi now on Sunday because he had to play a lot of games already, also because he was consistent on high level, even in this week we had, he was one of the best ones for us.
“So it's always about managing, but for manging the minutes for players, you have to have the numbers of course to manage it. Because then you have to change it or rotate with some guys. When you don't have the numbers it's not possible to rotate. so then everybody has to play. and try to play. So we'll see who's coming back.”
Work is underway to prepare for the Dundee clash, on top of getting some rest into players, after a schedule that proved mentally demanding as well as physically. Vrancken added on plans ahead of a trip to Dens Park: “It's also individualising because a lot of players need some mental rest also I think after playing a lot of games. Other players are coming back or haven’t played too much. So it's individualising towards the next game."