MIGUEL Pallardo, a key player in Hearts' Championship triumph last season, is to miss the start of this campaign because of an Achilles problem. Robbie Neilson, the Tynecastle club's manager, expects to be without the Spanish midfielder for a week or two, and is awaiting a precise diagnosis from a specialist.

Hearts are at home to Arbroath in a League Cup match on Thursday, then are at home to St Johnstone in the league three days later. Two of Neilson’s new signings, striker Juanma and defender Blazej Augustyn, should be available for those games after being left out of Sunday’s friendly with Everton as a precaution. Prince Buaben is a doubt, however, and Neilson is set to omit the midfielder from Thursday’s squad with the aim of having him available for Sunday.

Pallardo was seen wearing a moon boot while watching the 3-1 defeat by Everton, but Neilson is hopeful that he will be back in action before long. “He’s in the boot as a precaution, because he’s got a wee problem with his Achilles tendon,” the manager said. “I think he’ll be out for a week or two, but we’re waiting for a specialist to have a look at it this week.”

Neilson has already lost Soufian El Hassnaoui, the Dutch striker, for several months because of knee damage.