Neil Critchley has been speaking to Sky Sports ahead of Hearts’ meeting with Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Sunday.
The Jambos have won three of their last five Premiership games as Critchley starts to get the best out of his squad.
But for the Dons, it’s 10 games without a victory in the league and the last five of those have been defeats.
So how is the Hearts squad shaping up ahead of the game? Critchley gave updates on seven players including Beni Baningime and Zander Clark.
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Critchley provides Hearts injury news
The Hearts manager told Sky Sports: “No new injuries. Beni was just ill at the weekend, he reported ill on the day of the game so we are hopeful he will be fine.
“Zander had a slight issue with his knee but we’re not expecting that to be an issue at all. I wouldn’t expect it to be long-term.
“It was something he felt back in the summer and he was okay after a few days’ rest, so we are hopeful it will be the same again.
“Other than that, obviously we’ve got the longer term ones with Frankie (Kent) and Kings (Stephen Kingsley).
“(Lawrence) Shankland won’t be available. Gerald Taylor is getting closer and Calem Nieuwenhof is getting closer as well to be being involved which is also a nice boost.”
Latest on Barrie McKay & Yutaro Oda Hearts futures
Jambos wingers Barrie McKay and Yutaro Oda could both leave the club this month amid murmurings over the futures in Gorgie.
But Critchley admits that while they are not currently making matchday squads, nothing is certain yet and things could change as he pointed to Jorge Grant and Liam Boyce as recent examples.
He told the Edinburgh Evening News: “I haven’t had those types of conversations with them (about being able to leave). We have a big squad of players and we need to manage it as we see fit for every game.
“Barrie and Yutaro have been in some squads but not so much recently. Things can change very quickly in football. I’m sure both players will want to play.
“If they are not playing, and with the window being open during January, then that’s when people start to get active. It wouldn’t surprise me if agents are working on their behalf and I would understand that.
“Players want to play and if they are not in the team or the squad then, quite rightly, they would be frustrated.
“What I would say is that both of them are training properly and they are professionals. Situations can change very quickly, as we’ve seen with Liam Boyce and Jorge Grant recently.
“The door is not completely closed. However, Barrie and Yutaro are not in the squads and they want to play. They have been at the football club a while but that opportunity is not there for them right now.”