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Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
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Ben Banks

Robbie Neilson provides Hearts injury update and the added 'advantage' Jambos have versus FC Zurich

Hearts manager Robbie Neilson says Craig Halkett and long-term absentee Beni Baningime will be the only players missing from his Europa League play-off second leg squad against FC Zurich.

The Jambos welcome the Swiss champions to a sold-out Tynecastle on Thursday night after a 2-1 defeat in St Gallen last week. Halkett has picked up an injury and while his absence isn't expected to be long-term, it will force him out of a game that if a two-goal victory is achieved, they'll be on course to face teams like Manchester United in Europa League action.

It's set to be a bouncing occasions with goalkeeper Craig Gordon and defender Stephen Kingsley passing fit for action. A loud home support will back Hearts and Neilson says they must play off that: "The only ones out are Halkett and Baningime. Halkett will probably be another week to 10 days, I would think. It's disappointing but we've got players that can come in so it's not a big issue.

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"The boys are in good condition. We have to use it (the atmosphere) to our advantage. Away goals don't count so it's a straight shootout. We're a goal behind so we have to take the game to them.

"I would expect them to try to manage the game and hit us on the counter-attack because they're very good on the counter. We need to make sure we cover that but we'll have 20,000 fans here and they'll want to see us perform. We want to make sure we start the game well."

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