Hearts are now without eight first-team players after losing two more to injury during their trip to Turkey, just as they enter their most hectic run of the season. Harry Milne's season could be over after suffering a suspected ACL injury in training on the eve of their Conference League clash with Trabzonspor, while right-back Christian Borchgrevink fell to a hamstring injury in the first half.
With the Jambos playing every midweek and weekend (outside the international break) until December 20, the squad is set to be tested to breaking point.
Vrancken blames pre-season schedule
Vrancken has admitted the pre-season schedule he inherited was nowhere near enough ahead of their Champions League qualifier against Sturm Graz. Hearts only returned to pre-season on June 29, three weeks before facing the Austrians.
The Belgian says the club are now paying the price with injuries and vows next summer will be different.
"When you have this run of games, you have to have the foundations," he told TNT Sports. "We started already saying this from the first game against Sturm Graz. You put your preparation and foundation in but when you only have three weeks of preparation, it's not enough. So there's a lesson that we and the club has to learn. You cannot let it happen like this because you take it through the season."
Return dates for the walking wounded
There is some light at the end of the tunnel with several players due back over the coming weeks. Here is the latest on the Tynecastle walking wounded and when they are expected to be available again.
Eduardo Ageu - The Brazilian has missed much football since becoming the club's record signing last August. He returned as a second-half sub against Kilmarnock before the international break and was impressive in the 5-0 demolition of St Mirren. However, Vrancken revealed last week that he suffered a muscle injury in training. The plan is to take it day by day, but the hope is he will be available in early November.
Oisin McEntee - The Irishman was needed in the centre of defence given Hearts' injury issues there at the start of the season. He's since moved back into midfield but hasn't featured since scoring in last week's 1-1 Conference League draw at home to Nordsjaelland. He missed the 7-1 defeat at Celtic Park and didn't travel to Trabzon for Thursday night's 2-0 loss due to a calf complaint. He's expected to be out for a month, so should return around mid-November.
Stuart Findlay - Was on the bench at Parkhead but was left at home for the game in Turkey after suffering a groin injury, the extent of which is not yet known. He's been receiving treatment at the club's Oriam training base in the hope of a swift return. This weekend's trip to Motherwell will likely come too soon, and it will be touch and go for the Premier Sports Cup semi-final with Hibs a week later.
Blair Spittal - Was settling into a nice run of form while skippering the side when he suffered an ankle injury in the 3-1 Edinburgh derby win at Easter Road in early September. He had to go under the knife, and Vrancken confirmed it would be 'months not weeks' before he was back. Three months was the rough estimate, so Hearts hope Spittal will be fit again in early to mid-December.
Tom Renaud - The manner of Renaud's ankle injury sums up Hearts' luck this season. The French midfielder wasn't even involved in the tackle that hurt him away to Rapid Vienna, but was hurt when the player Tomas Magnusson challenged fell on his ankle. He needed to be stretchered off. It's thought he'll be sidelined at least as long as Spittal, but could take a little longer. End of December or shortly after the New Year could be the best bet for his return.
Christian Borchgrevink - The Norwegian clearly suffered a hamstring injury during the first half against Trabzon. Hearts won't know more until they return to Edinburgh and can properly assess the damage, but it's likely to be several weeks at least. Best case scenario could see him back by the start of December, but given how things have been going, Vrancken won't be banking on that, and it could be later that month or even January.
Craig Halkett - The defender has been a huge miss since rupturing his Achilles tendon in the third-last game of the season away to Motherwell in May. He's since had surgery and has returned to running as he steps up his rehabilitation. Hearts are averse to rushing anyone back having been stung before, and the earliest suggestions for Halkett's return were around Christmas and New Year, but expect the club to take their time, so it will likely be January at the earliest.
