Craig Thomson is suspended for the Jambos.
The 19-year-old was sent off in the Co-operative Insurance Cup defeat at Falkirk, adding to manager Jim Jefferies' defensive woes, with Lee Wallace (knee) and Marius Zaliukas - subject of a contract dispute, but now back in training following a knee problem - still out.
Stephen Elliott could play following a hamstring problem, but Dawid Kucharski (calf strain) and Andrew Driver (knee) remain absent, while Jefferies will serve the first of a two-game touchline ban after being sent to the stands at Celtic earlier this month.
Motherwell striker Esteban Casagolda underwent knee surgery this morning to repair damaged cartilage and will be out for three to four weeks.
But manager Craig Brown hopes to have Stevie Hammell back following a hamstring injury.
Marc Fitzpatrick (knee) and Shaun Hutchinson (hamstring) remain on the sidelines.
Hearts (from): Kello, Barr, Bouzid, Black, Stevenson, Glen, Obua, Palazuelos, Templeton, Elliot, Elliott, Santana, Balogh, Kyle, Jonsson, Mrowiec, J Thomson, Robinson, Novikovas, Skacel.
Motherwell (from): Randolph, Saunders, Page, Hammell, Craigan, Reynolds, Hateley, Lasley, Jennings, Humphrey, Gow, Forbes, Blackman, Murphy, Sutton, McHugh, Pollock, Hollis.
