Rosenborg star in Hearts injury sweat as Crusaders 'war' results in broken nose for top scorer

Rosenborg star Isak Thorvaldsson is confident he will be fit to face Hearts despite breaking his nose in their win over Crusaders.

The Norwegian's were given a scare by the Belfast outfit, who held them to a 2-2 draw in the first leg of their Europa Conference League second round qualifier, and achieved the same result in Trondheim with the hosts eventually setting up a date with the Jambos thanks to an extra-time winner from Leo Cornic.

Jayden Nelson had put Rosenborg 1-0 up before Philip Lowry levelled on the stroke of half-time. Thorvaldsson edged Svein Maalen's side in front, before a sicking clash of heads left Thorvaldsson with a suspected concussion. However, the Icelandic forward, who has three goals in five games this season and netting 17 last term, was diagnosed with a broken nose and is confident of being fit to face Haugesund this weekend. Paul Heatley squared things up before being sent off two minutes later, and Rosenborg had too much for the visitors in extra-time.

However, Maalen knows his side were in a game. He said: "We knew that there was going to be a bit of war, but we hoped that there wouldn't be so much war. It was a very effective opponent and an effective Rosenborg team.

"I don't know if there are any injuries. They have been out in the war here. They are a bit tired and bandaged. There were a few small bangs here and there. We've played a lot of games in a short time in a period we haven't quite gotten used to yet."

Steven Naismith takes his team to Norway for the first leg next Thursday. Then it's back to Tynecastle to battle it out for a spot in the playoff round. First up though, is Saturday's Premiership opener away to St Johnstone.