Former Benfica winger Tavares started and played 69 minutes of last weekend’s Scottish Premiership opening-day victory over St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park but will sit out Sunday’s hotly-anticipated clash with Hearts as he serves a one-game suspension held over from his time in the Portuguese leagues.
And Easter Road boss Lee Johnson has had his preparations for the showdown with his former employers further dashed after Mitchell – who could have been an option to replace Tavares on the wing – picked up a hamstring injury in the midweek game against Queen’s Park.
The 25-year-old, who came on as a substitute in Perth last week, was one of a handful of players using the second-string fixture to sharpen their match fitness, but now faces further time on the sidelines.
Most Popular
-
1
Hibs transfer state of play as Lee Johnson speaks on Luke McCormick links and potential departures
-
2
Kyle Magennis injury latest with Hibs set to issue further update on player after nearly 11 months out
-
3
Peter Haring: I've waited four years to play for Hearts in Europe - but Swiss are mates not rivals
-
4
Exclusive: FC Zurich technical team manager Jose Goncalves speaks on Europa League tie and Hearts memories
-
5
'We are going there to win.' Onus on Hearts after European embarrassments for Motherwell and Dundee United
Mitchell has played just eight times since joining from Blackpool in January. An ankle injury picked up February’s 3-1 Scottish Cup win at Arbroath kept him out until the post-split trip to Livingston in late April but he suffered a setback and missed pre-season and the Premier Sports Cup campaign.
He joins Lewis Stevenson, who is also out with a hamstring injury, Kyle Magennis, Aiden McGeady, and Kevin Nisbet on the sidelines.
However, club captain Paul Hanlon could be selected for the first time this season after he featured in the development squad’s 4-2 defeat by the Spiders. He underwent knee surgery at the end of last season but is available for Sunday’s match after coming through Tuesday’s game unscathed.
Johnson said: “There are a couple of little knocks, and obviously, we have a couple of long-term injuries that we are dealing with at the moment.
"Demetri is not quite there; he pulled up with a light hamstring injury – more of a cramp than it was a tear – so he will be out.
“Paul is available. He is probably a little bit shy of a starting spot but certainly his experience around the place will be beneficial.”