Hearts have concerns over defensive duo Andy Webster and Lee Wallace as they seek to strengthen their hold on third place with a victory over fourth-placed Killie.
Webster suffered a groin strain in last Saturday's 0-0 draw at Aberdeen, while Wallace missed the trip to Pittodrie with a heavily bruised ankle.
Kevin Kyle, who had a further injection on his troublesome groin this week, and suspended duo Ian Black and Ruben Palazuelos are also out, while David Obua and Suso Santana missed the Dons draw and may be absent once more.
Kilmarnock are without suspended defender Mahamadou Sissoko, goalkeeper Cammy Bell, who is still out with an ankle injury, and midfielder Mehdi Taouil who has a hamstring problem which could keep him sidelined for a month.
James Dayton continues to build up his fitness following a cruciate ligament injury.
Hearts (from): Kello, Bouzid, Zaliukas, Stevenson, Driver, Elliott, Skacel, Glen, Jonsson, Mrowiec, C Thomson, Wallace, J Thomson, Santana, Balogh, Webster, Barr, Templeton, MacDonald, Obua.
Kilmarnock (from): Jaakkola, Hay, Fowler, Wright, Sissoko, Hamill, Rui Miguel, Bryson, Pascali, Eremenko, Gros, Mendes Silva, Letheren, Clancy, Agard, McKenzie, Kelly, Berntsson, Aubameyang.
