Hearts reveal the extent of Stephen Kingsley's injury

Hearts hope to strengthen their defence by welcoming left-back Stephen Kingsley back from injury before the season ends.

Hearts defender Stephen Kingsley has a groin injury.

He sustained a groin injury against Arbroath a week past Saturday and missed subsequent defeats against Brora Rangers and Queen of the South.

Medical staff have predicted a three-to-four-week absence for the 26-year-old and Hearts manager Robbie Neilson is hopeful he will return in time to face Alloa next month.

Kingsley is a first-choice in defence and his absence – along with those of goalkeeper Craig Gordon and right-back Michael Smith – has been keenly felt in the last two matches.

“We're hoping to get him back before the end of the season,” Neilson told the Evening News. “Potentially, it might be Alloa or maybe the game after that [against Morton].

“We're desperate to get him back. The prognosis was around four weeks and he's missed one now so we'll see how he goes.”

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