Gerald Taylor in Hearts injury hammer blow as Costa Rican set for lengthy lay off with suspected knee injury

Hearts' woes on the pitch are set to continue with the news that defender Gerald Taylor will miss a huge chunk of the season with a suspected ACL injury.

The 23-year-old suffered the knee problem in last Saturday's 2-1 defeat to St Mirren in Paisley and had to be substituted at half time. The Jambos are still waiting to discover the full diagnosis of the injury, but it is feared that the right back - who joined the club on a season-long loan deal from Costa Rican side Saprissa - may not play for Hearts again this season.

Speaking to the media ahead of Saturday's Premiership clash at home to Ross County, interim Tynecastle boss Liam Fox said: "It’s disappointing news, he’s got a real issue with his knee. It’s a blow. We don’t have the exact timescale but it will be a long period of time."

Asked if it was an ACL, Fox said: "Potentially. Don’t quote me on that, we’re just waiting on confirmation. He’ll get all the support he needs." Fox also confirmed that teenager Adam Forrester - who he knows well from his role as the club's B team manager, could "potentially" be called up for tomorrow's visit of the Staggies to offer cover in Taylor's absence.

The former Dundee United boss takes charge of his first game in Gorgie following Steven Naismith's dismissal last week and is hoping to arrest the Jambos dreadful run of form which has seen them lose eight consecutive matches in all competitions. Hearts are in dire-need of a pick-up result going into their Conference League opener away to Dinamo Minsk next Thursday.

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