Falkirk have been dealt a significant injury blow with striker Joe Gardner ruled out for around two months due to a thigh tear. The news was confirmed ahead of Tuesday's Scottish Premiership match against Heart of Midlothian, adding to the selection challenges for a side sitting 11th in the table with just two points from five games.
Gardner's absence is a major setback for a team whose recent form reads zero wins, two draws and three defeats. Manager John McGlynn does have some positive news on the fitness front, however. Full-back Keelan Adams is returning from a foot problem and midfielder Craig Sibbald is back from a hamstring issue.
Those returns are offset by a lengthy list of other absentees. Conor McLeod, Aidan Nesbitt and Finn Yeats all remain unavailable for selection. The club's current injuries page confirms the extent of the sidelined group.
Hearts also have fitness concerns to manage ahead of the fixture at Falkirk Stadium. Midfielder Tomas Magnusson has been ill and will be assessed on Tuesday morning, while utility player Oisin McEntee is also being monitored after an injury. The visitors are definitely without Blair Spittal, Tom Renaud, Malachi Fagan-Walcott and Craig Halkett, with Ageu only set to return after the upcoming international break.
Falkirk's last outing was a 1-1 draw away to Dundee United, where Josh Murrell scored an early opener. They face a Kilmarnock side currently 12th in the standings in their next fixture on 30 December.
