Hearts dealt double injury setback ahead of Falkirk clash

Derek McInnes will be hoping Marc Leonard hasn't played his final game for Hearts after it was confirmed the influential midfielder has been ruled out for the remainder of the season with an Achilles injury.

Leonard was one of two casualties during Hearts' 1-1 draw with Motherwell at Fir Park on Saturday with defender Craig Halkett also sustaining an Achilles issue, although his rehabilitation has been further complicated by a torn calf muscle.

The duo are now expected to be sidelined for several months, which brings Leonard's loan spell at Tynecastle to a premature end after the 24-year-old joined in January from Birmingham City.

“Both lads flew to London on Sunday afternoon and both got operated on yesterday morning,” McInnes confirmed.

“It was the same surgeon, both within an hour of so of each other. It was a ruptured Achilles for both, so it's significant injuries. They’ll be out for seven to nine months.

“Marc will travel back to Birmingham today. He’ll be in with the club doctor there."

Leonard's performances in maroon have prompted speculation of a permanent move to Edinburgh and Birmingham City are bracing themselves for numerous offers.

Hearts' title rivals Celtic have also been credited with an interest in the former Brighton academy graduate as it remains unclear whether Leonard's long-term future lies with Chris Davies' Blues.

Asked if the injuries of Leonard and Halkett serve as additional motivation to his troops, McInnes replied: “You don’t need any extra motivation but it is certainly something we’ve spoken about.

“It’s two lads who have served us brilliantly all season. Craig has been a real rock for us all season and Marc came in when we needed him most, delivering some really big performances. He kept us ticking over in there while we had Cammy Devlin’s injury and, with Beni Baningime being out for a few games too, so he’s been vitally important to us.

“Both lads have been very influential on what is a team at the top of the league. It’s important that we finish the job off."

Hearts host Falkirk on Wednesday night where they could be crowned Scottish Premiership champions if they win and Celtic lose to Motherwell.

McInnes' outfit will at the very least be hoping to preserve their one-point advantage heading into Sunday's mammoth title decider at Celtic Park, where the victor will very likely finish top of the pile.