Hearts boss Robbie Neilson has offered an injury update on star defenders Craig Halkett and Kye Rowles - admitting that fans may face a further wait to see the duo back.
Halkett joined Hearts from Livingston back in 2019, and was a mainstay in their side as they achieved Scottish Championship promotion back in 2021 before featuring prominently in the side that romped to a third-placed finish in the Premiership last season - though injury to the Kirkintilloch-born star in mid-August has seen him feature in just 22 minutes of action since.
Such a gaping hole at the back of the defence has been evidenced by Hearts' run of just two wins from a possible seven top-flight games since in Halkett's absence, with Stephen Kingsley and Alex Cochrane forming a makeshift pairing as Hearts continue to plummet down the division. And although Neilson admitted that the defender was on the road to recovery, he failed to hint at an immediate return to the fore for the former Livi star.
“He is back on the pitch but it's a more gradual process than the last time,” Neilson told Edinburgh Evening News of Halkett's condition. "We just need to wait and see where he is. We are taking it day-by-day to see if we can build him back up.”
Alongside Halkett on the treatment table is Rowles; with the Australian out of action after picking up a metatarsal fracture at the end of August in the 3-2 home win over St Johnstone. However, Neilson admitted that he wouldn't expect to see the duo in action in the near future with Rowles barely back on the training pitch. He continued: “I'd expect them both to still be out. Rowles isn't back running yet."
Other injuries include those of full-back Michael Smith, alongside wingers Josh Ginnelly and Gary Mackay-Steven. And Neilson offered more hope to their returns as opposed to his centre-back pairing. "There are one or two others who have been out and might make it but we just need to wait and see."
Hearts' next game is the tough task of welcoming Celtic to Tynecastle on Saturday afternoon.
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