Hearts manager Jim Jefferies is resigned to being without Ruben Palazuelos for six weeks.
The midfielder, 26, suffered a knee injury in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League match against Aberdeen recently. He travelled to London last week to consult a specialist and was told he needs several weeks' rest before he can consider a return to training.
"Ruben has been to see a specialist and isn't to do anything for three weeks," said Jefferies.
"Hopefully the rest he gets will help but he certainly will be missing for at least five or six weeks."
Teenage striker Scott Robinson faces a similar length of time on the sidelines, while Andrew Driver is set to miss Wednesday's league clash with Celtic.
The winger suffered a reaction to his knee problem during the Co-operative Insurance Cup semi-final defeat by St Mirren at Fir Park last Tuesday.
"Andrew has had a wee reaction," said Jefferies.
"The pitch wasn't the best for someone coming back from an injury like that.
"But he's improving as the days go on. It looked like he could be out for a couple of weeks but he says he's feeling better."
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