Frankie Kent is unavailable for selection for Sunday’s Premiership encounter with Celtic after the defender picked up a knock in the Edinburgh derby.

Naismith explained after the match that the centre-half ' took a bang on the knee which eased up a bit' on Wednesday night, and Kent was spotted at Oriam wearing a leg brace and using crutches to walk on Friday afternoon.

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Kent has been sent for a scan to determine the severity of the injury, and is expected to be absent until later this month.

The summer signing from Peterborough United has been a key player for Naismith, and the coaching staff at Tynecastle Park will be hoping for a speedy recovery as the season approaches a crucial juncture.

"Frankie obviously struggled at the end of the game, so he's had a scan and he will be out for a week or two," Naismith told Hearts TV. "Which is disappointing, but it's better than what it could have been.

"Yutaro Oda is still out. Barrie McKay is back in training, but it's very early and he's still a bit away. Other than that, the others missing are the long-term ones."

Naismith was then asked about the dearth of options available to him at centre-back, but the head coach remains relaxed about the situation.

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"Kye [Rowles] has come back from the Asian Cup, we've got Toby [Sibbick], [Stephen Kingsley has done well there as well, so we've got options," he added.

"Frankie has come in and had a really good season, and that's shown in the defensive side of our game this season. It is disappointing to lose him but it creates the opportunity for someone else to come in and show why they're part of the squad and why they should be in the starting XI."