Robbie Neilson outlines Hearts transfer plan after Liam Boyce injury but hopes striker's season ISN'T over

Robbie Neilson is confident that Liam Boyce ’s season isn't over after rupturing his cruciate ligament.

The Hearts striker was stretchered off after giving them the lead in Sunday’s 3-2 win over St Johnstone. Boyce was clearly in a lot of pain after his knee went in making a first half tackle, shortly after fellow goalscorer Kye Rowles was also forced off with a suspected broken foot. Both players went for scans on Sunday and the club's worst fears were confirmed when it showed that Boyce had indeed hurt his cruciate.

That type of injury can keep a player out for anything between six months to a year. However, having made a speedy recovery from a similar injury to his other knee playing for Burton Albion in August 2017, making it back onto the pitch in just over 5 months, Neilson is hopeful it’s a similar story this time round.

“It’s a sore one for both guys,” he said. “Liam’s ruptured his cruciate so he’s set to be out for a number of months, which is hugely disappointing.

“Kye Rowles has got an issue with his metatarsal which will keep him out for six to eight weeks. It’s really disappointing from that aspect but we just have to move forward on it.”

“[Liam] did his cruciate on the opposite knee and was back within six months so hopefully that it’s similar with this knee. We’ll help him as much as we can. We’re hoping to get him operated on pretty quickly and then it’s just a case of getting him back.

“Kye was a suspected metatarsal on Sunday and that’s come back with a wee fracture in it. That will be six to eight weeks depending on how it heals.

“He should be back in time to get a number of games before that World Cup. I would expect him still to be in the squad because he’s done extremely well for Australia and