Motherwell winger Chris Humphrey will miss the Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash against Aberdeen with an ankle injury that could sideline him for six weeks.
But Stevie Hammell (hamstring), Yassin Moutaouakil and goalkeeper John Ruddy (both groin) should return.
Shaun Hutchinson (hamstring) remains out while Darren Smith, Paul Slane and Marc Fitzpatrick continue their rehabilitation following surgery.
Meanwhile, Tom Hateley has declared himself "more than happy" with life at Motherwell as he and his young team-mates aim to continue their impressive start to the season.
The midfielder has been an ever-present since signing for Motherwell days before the Premier League season kicked off.
Well have lost just once in the SPL as they begin their second round of fixtures against Aberdeen at Fir Park.
Hateley, 20, has impressed in a holding midfield role and the former Reading trainee was receptive when asked if he would consider extending his one-year contract.
"I'm more than happy," he said. "I've really enjoyed my time here so far.
"The players have been great, the fans have been great, the management too. It's been really enjoyable so far and I'll just see what happens.
"It's been a great start to the season for me and the team. I'm doing consistently well.
"Everyone is quite young, the average age was about 22 at Parkhead.
"But there is a great togetherness in the camp, and the manager on the training pitch is also positive. Everyone likes playing with each other, there are no niggles."
Hateley failed to win a contract at Hamilton last summer when illness and a family bereavement disrupted his trial spell.
With the added spotlight ensured by having former Rangers hero Mark Hateley as a father, the youngster may have felt under pressure to prove himself after earning a contract at Fir Park.
But he said: "I tried not to think about it too much. I had a chat with my dad and just aimed to go out and enjoy my football.
"There are added pressures of going out every week in front of the crowd and expectancy levels here to win now with the start we've had.
"I'm just happy keeping my position in the team and playing hard and working hard.
"I don't look too far into the future. I'm just looking for consistency in my game."
Aberdeen will be without Chris Maguire and Sone Aluko.
Maguire is sitting out the second match of his suspension while Aluko has not overcome a stomach problem.
Zander Diamond (ankle) remains on the sidelines but Maurice Ross comes back after a ban and Fraser Fyvie may return from an ankle injury.
Aberdeen manager Mark McGhee has maintained his innocence over comments made about Motherwell winger Jim O'Brien.
McGhee last week admitted that O'Brien, whose contract expires at the end of the season, fitted his transfer target criteria after being quizzed over reports he was set to offer the 22-year-old a pre-contract deal.
Jim Gannon, McGhee's successor as Motherwell manager, yesterday claimed it was "inappropriate" for other bosses to talk about his contracted players.
But McGhee, on the eve of his first visit to Fir Park since leaving the club in June, insisted he had done nothing wrong.
"When I was asked about Jim O'Brien I was very, very careful not to transgress any rules," he said.
"I have certainly done nothing that I have to be embarrassed about or answer for."
The controversy has added even more spice to tomorrow's clash after the first meeting between the teams this season was marred by extreme abuse directed at McGhee from a section of the Motherwell support.
But McGhee, who twice led the Lanarkshire club into Europe, was later heartened by letters and emails from Motherwell fans thanking him for his contribution.
"I'm looking forward to it," he said. "I had two great years there and have still got a lot of friends there.
"I expect there to be an element who want to abuse me but I can take it.
"I have been called everything from fat, and Scottish has been used as an insult against me. I can take all of that."
McGhee added: "The spice for me is that we're looking better.
"We have an opportunity, with Dundee United playing Celtic on Sunday, of us being able to get within two points of Dundee United.
"There is the possibility that our season is just starting now and that's the tension and that's the motivation for us.
"We feel we are probably in the best shape we have been since I got here. The players look as if we are really getting up to speed.
"I'm excited about what we're going to see from our lot, so we are full of anticipation."
