Steven Naismith is short of bodies in the middle for Heart of Midlothian's trip to Celtic Park on Saturday.

Speaking to the media ahead of the weekend’s Premiership encounter, the Hearts head coach revealed that on-loan Rangers playmaker Alex Lowry is a doubt after sustaining a back knock.

With Cammy Devlin already sidelined, it leaves Naismith and his coaching staff a little short of options in midfield ahead of their visit to one of the most daunting away days the Premiership has to offer. Naismith also revealed that Devlin is likely to miss out on the Asian Cup with Australia.

Northern Irish centre-forward Liam Boyce, meanwhile, is still recovering from an injury sustained in the 1-0 win away to Kilmarnock earlier this month and is not expected to feature against the league leaders. 

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“I think we are much the same,” Naismith told Hearts TV when asked about the squad's fitness. “Alex Lowry has got a small issue with his back which we are investigating at the moment, so I think it’s unlikely that he will be involved tomorrow.

“Boycie has been back on the pitch. But with it being a muscle injury, you need to make sure he is right for it. So he won’t be involved tomorrow.

“Cammy Devlin is a bit longer. He has done some damage to his ankle, so I wouldn’t imagine he will be back before the winter break.

“I don’t think he will even be back in training by the winter break, which is when the squads meet up, so I can’t imagine him being involved [at the Asian Cup].”