Hearts have avoided a full-blown goalkeeping crisis after being told that Zander Clark’s knee injury is not serious.
The former St Johnstone player picked up the problem in the warm-up to Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Dunfermline and was replaced by Harry Stone in goal.
Clark also sat out Wednesday's 2-0 victory at Fleetwood’s training ground but the 31-year-old could return for their next public friendly outing against Leeds United at Tynecastle on July 30.
That news has been welcomed by technical director Steven Naismith and head coach Frankie McAvoy with 21-year-old Stone the only other option in goal as things stand.
Craig Gordon is continuing his recovery from a double leg break he sustained on Christmas Eve, while long-term back-up Ross Stewart departed the club earlier this summer.
McAvoy, meanwhile, insists he and Naismith are pleased with the way pre-season has gone so far, despite the lack of signings.
A Jorge Grant brace saw off Scott Brown’s Fleetwood ahead of another closed door game at Wigan on Sunday.
As well as drawing with the Pars, Hearts were narrowly beaten by Plymouth on their recent training camp in Spain.
McAvoy said: “I was really pleased against Fleetwood, the scoreline is good, it’s important you win games and get into good habits.
“We controlled the game, there were good parts and maybe lacked a bit of a cutting edge.
“We brought lots of younger boys, got more minutes in everyone’s legs. Jorge Grant scored two goals, which was really pleasing.
“Naisy, Gordon (Forres) and myself are trying to install that in that group, going to the end.
“It’s about building momentum at the moment, we worked with them for the last seven games of last season, and in the games we’ve taken in pre-season, they’re all tough games.
“We’re back down to play Wigan then back to play Leeds United.
“That’s the reason we chose them, so it would be tough and would get the boys ready and prepared as best we can for our first competitive challenge.”
