HEARTS boss Craig Levein has been dealt a massive injury blow with the news that both defender John Souttar and striker Uche Ikpeazu have been ruled out for at least five months.
The Jambos have been this campaign’s surprise package but the Ladbrokes Premiership leaders’ title ambitions have been severely dented by Thursday’s injury update.
Souttar has torn the lining of his hip while on Scotland duty last week and could miss the next six months as a result.
Powerful striker Ikpeazu has made a major impact since signing from Cambridge this summer but he is also set for a spell on the sidelines after being told a recent foot injury requires surgery that could keep him out until March.
Levein said: “John will be out for five or six months by the looks of things. He landed awkwardly and tore the lining of his hip, which is a blow.
“While we’re on it, Uche will be out for five months as well by the looks of things. This problem we’ve had with his foot we’ve managed to finally get to the bottom of.
“It’s a really obscure problem which needs an operation.”
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