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Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
Sport
Alan Galindo

Hearts duo in Europa Conference League fitness race as Robbie Neilson provides RFS update

Robbie Neilson has revealed Craig Halkett and Alan Forrest are in a race against time for the Europa Conference League showdown with RFS.

Hearts head to Latvia looking to get their first points of the section on the board after an opening game defeat to Turkish outfit Istanbul Basaksehir. The visitors ran out 4-0 winners on the night at Tynecastle with group fourth seeds RFS picking up a stunning result in Florence as they drew 1-1 with Fiorentina.

The Jambos have been on a poor run of results of late and will be determined to bounce back as they make the trip to Riga. The capital club are set to jet out for the showdown that will be played on Thursday night - but key defender Halkett is rated 'touch and go' with Forrest in the same position ahead of the game.

READ MORE: Hearts star Craig Halkett on Europa Conference League lesson as he targets points in Riga

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Neilson said: “Halkett will be touch-and-go again. He is training a bit with us today (Monday) so we will build it up a bit tomorrow and then see where he is with it.

“He had a wee issue and came back and then it flared up again. It's one of those issues we need to take our time with now but I’m hopeful we can get him for Thursday, at least for some sort of game time.

“Alan [Forrest] is in the same position. He had a wee problem with his foot so we will wait and see how he is over the next couple of days.”

Hearts are back in domestic action this coming Sunday following their European exploits with an away clash at Motherwell.

The Gorgie side currently sit fourth in the league standings with three wins, two defeats and one draw from their first six games.

READ MORE:

- Three things we learned as Hearts stutter to defeat at Livingston as new signing makes debut

- Hearts confirm Zander Clark signing as Joe Savage highlights free agency importance to Jambos

- Liam Boyce given Hearts hope as boss refuses to say striker's season is over after knee blow

- Hearts starlet Lewis Neilson talks comparisons to Rangers John Souttar and his EPL dream

- Three things we learned as Hearts sent for early Premier Sports Cup bath in Gorgie by Kilmarnock

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