Aberdeen trio Jerel Ifil, Jonathan Crawford and Tommy Wright are back in training ahead of Saturday’s Premier League match against Hearts.
Defenders Ifil and Crawford sat out the 1-1 draw at Kilmarnock in their last outing, while attacker Wright has not featured at all this season due to a knee injury.
All three could return against Hearts, as could winger Sone Aluko, who is back at Pittodrie having spent three weeks in Egypt with Nigeria at the under-20 World Cup finals.
Hearts vice-captain Marius Zaliukas could be out for another three weeks through injury.
The Lithuania international has been sidelined by an ankle injury which forced him to miss the 2-1 defeat to St Mirren before the international break, but was expected to be fit for Saturday’s trip to Pittodrie.
However, the 25-year-old, who has featured in only two league games this season after missing the opening four SPL fixtures because of suspension, has not recovered sufficiently to be considered and will now need further rest and treatment for the problem.
Tynecastle manager Csaba Laszlo said: “Marius still has inflammation in his ankle.
“It is not so serious but he is still in some pain and we must look to protect him.
“Maybe in two or three weeks he will be fit, but for now he needs rest.â€
Hearts head for the north-east sitting in a lowly eighth place in the Premier League following an inconsistent start to the campaign in which they have taken only one point – against newly promoted St Johnstone – from four away matches.
The loss to St Mirren in their last outing sparked stinging criticism from supporters and from Laszlo but the Gorgie manager is hopeful of an improved away day this weekend.
He added: “We have been all right at Tynecastle but away from home it is not so good.
“We have a lot of young players and this can happen, but we will be working on it this week.â€
Utility player Egert Jonsson has been passed fit to face the Dons following seven weeks out with a stomach muscle injury.
Youngster David Templeton is also close to a return after recovering from a broken foot sufficiently to play 90 minutes in a bounce game last week.
http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1438818