Exclusive:Hearts take a decision on Tomas Magnusson as another player causes injury concern

Tomas Magnusson’s facial injury is causing Hearts concern following Saturday’s Premiership defeat at Kilmarnock. He was taken to hospital during the match with a suspected fractured cheekbone and is now set to miss several weeks of action. The news is a blow for the Edinburgh club as they compete for the Scottish Premiership title, but Riccarton medical staff are still hopeful of some positive feedback on the Icelander.

Magnusson is visiting a specialist today to see what his options are, with the possibility that he could require surgery on his face. Much depends on the severity of the injury. Hearts are hopeful he will be able to heal naturally and quickly, which could allow the midfielder to return to training at some point next month. He has featured more regularly in the starting line-up in recent weeks and was in good form ahead of the match at Rugby Park.

The injury arose after 35 minutes when Magnusson challenged the Kilmarnock midfielder Aaron Tshibola and the heads of both players collided. Magnusson lay grounded for several minutes and received treatment on the pitch before getting to his feet and walking off down the tunnel. He was replaced by Oisin McEntee and was taken to hospital for examination. Tshibola was also treated on the field and went off before returning to the fray moments later.

Hearts will now await the specialist’s verdict on Magnusson. McEntee played in midfield and, later in the game, at right-back. He felt some discomfort in his shoulder in what what his first appearance since damaging it at Ibrox a month ago. Hearts coaching staff are concerned but hoping it is not serious. The Irishman is due to train with the first-team squad on Tuesday.

Beni Baningime’s knee issue kept him out of the trip to Rugby Park and he will be assessed this week to determine whether he can train fully in the build-up to Saturday’s match against Dundee. On a more positive note, influential midfielder Cammy Devlin and captain Lawrence Shankland are both expected to be fit and available for that match at Tynecastle Park. They are scheduled to resume full training with team-mates this week after being sidelined since January with ankle and hamstring issues.

McInnes told the Edinburgh News that Hearts are experiencing mixed fortunes with their injury situation right now. “Tomas had to come off and went to hospital, Oisin felt his shoulder a wee bit as well after one of the challenges,” explained McInnes. “We will see how he is and we will need to see how Beni is. Cammy is going to train this week, which is a huge boost for us. We are hoping Beni is nothing too serious but he wasn’t able to be included on Saturday.”