HEARTS are facing a triple defensive injury sweat ahead of this weekend's Edinburgh derby with Hibs at Easter Road.

Head coach Valdas Ivanauskas has captain Steven Pressley, Jose Goncalves and Takis Fyssas all in a race against time to be fit for Saturday's clash in Leith.

Pressley was omitted from the team for Saturday's win over Kilmarnock after complaining of a back problem and Goncalves picked up a hamstring problem after just 24 minutes of the 2-0 win. He is hoping to learn the severity of his injury today when he goes for scans, while Greek left-back Fyssas sustained a groin problem.

If Fyssas and Goncalves - who have both featured at left-back this term - fail to make the match Jamie McAllister, who has been used sparingly this season, could play.

With Andy Webster, Ibrahim Tall and Christophe Berra all able to play at centre-half Ivanauskas, however, is unlikely to be too concerned if Pressley fails to recover.

First-team coach John McGlynn last night said: "Elvis is still receiving treatment and we are just going to have to wait and see how he reacts this week. Backs are funny things and we have to make sure they are right.

"As for Jose, he'll get a scan on his hamstring on Tuesday. I hope we get the results the same day but, again, we will just have to wait and see.

"Takis also did not take part in training because of the groin problem he picked up against Kilmarnock and it will be later in the week before we know what his chances are of making the game."

Hearts players have become accustomed to Ivanauskas' rotation system, withWeb ster, Julien Brellier and Rudi Skacel all sitting out games recently.

But that has given Berra an opportunity to gain valuable first-team experience and he celebrated with a goal against Killie.

Fans also saw Tall, who replaced Goncalves against Killie, in action for the first time nine months after joining the club.

McGlynn added: "Ibrahim came in under difficult circumstances and did well.

"Christophe also did well at the back and it helps your confidence if you score."

Ivanauskas will serve the first of his two-match touch-line ban against Hibs after he was sent to the stand by ref Dougie McDonald during the 1-0 defeat to champions Celtic at Parkhead on April 5.

Taken from the Daily Record