Hearts are “trying to get one or two things done” after having had a bid for Forest Green Rovers midfielder Laurent Mendy turned down by the National League club.
The Scottish Premiership leaders’ analytics service has identified 28-year-old Mendy as a possible option amid absences for Beni Baningime and Cammy Devlin.
Devlin was last week ruled out injured for up to two months, while Baningime will serve a two-match suspension following his recent red card against St Mirren.
Hearts host second-placed Celtic, who trail by six points, on Sunday (15:00 GMT).
“We’re actively trying to bring in one or two if we can,” said Hearts manager Derek McInnes.
“If we can get them in for Sunday, great. If we can’t, it’s not the end of the world because we’ve still got a week to 10 days of the window left.
“I’m conscious that there’s players there who are playing with their clubs at the minute and I’m not here to upset anybody but we’re trying to get one or two things done.
“Everybody recognises the need to try and be as strong as we possibly can be coming out the window.”
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Baningime appeared to pick up a knock during Saturday’s Scottish Cup defeat by Falkirk while McInnes revealed fellow midfielder Tomas Bent Magnusson was “a wee doubt”.
“We’ve got a few concerns,” said the manager. “We’re still hopeful that we can get one or two. Ageu and McEntee will hopefully get back on to the training ground on Friday and train fully.
“It’s been a tough week. You’ve got to be grateful that you’re in a January window and you can still act upon it. At least we’re actively trying to alleviate some of the concerns we have and hopefully that can be the case.
“We’ve still got a lot going for us in the squad. I need to stress that.”
Asked if he would consider playing players out of position to fill midfield gaps, McInnes said: “You’ve got to look at everything.”
Hearts confirmed on Tuesday they will have to do without captain and Scotland striker Lawrence Shankland for up to eight weeks after the 30-year-old went off with a hamstring injury against Falkirk.
Elton Kabangu, Pierre Landry Kabore and James Wilson are available, along with regular forward Claudio Braga, while a deal has been agreed to sign Uganda striker Rogers Mato, 22.
“We’re hoping we can get Mato in for the weekend but if not at least we know he’s coming this month, which is good work by the club that we’ve negotiated that,” McInnes explained.
“He’ll definitely help us in the second part of the season.”
