Heart of Midlothian have suffered a significant injury blow with the news Gerald Taylor will be out for long period of time.

The Costa Rican was on crutches earlier in the week following the injury sustained in the 2-1 loss at St Mirren on Saturday.

Interim Hearts head coach Liam Fox revealed Taylor the player has suspected ACL damage in his knee.

“Potentially," Fox said. "Don’t quote me on that, we’re just waiting on confirmation. He’ll get all the support he needs. It’s disappointing news. He’s got a real issue with his knee.

"It’s a blow. We don’t have the exact timescale but it will be a long period of time.”

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Taylor has had an up-and-down start to his career at Tynecastle Park following his summer loan switch from Deportivo Saprissa in his homeland.

The 23-year-old has put in eye-catching performances against Celtic and Rangers but has scored two own goals as the club have failed to win any of their first nine games of the season.

Taylor's injury could open the door for B team captain Adam Forrester.

The teenage right-back has impressed for the B team and is a player Fox knows well.

"The potential is there," Fox told Hearts Standard last week. "Like a lot of things, he needs an opportunity and if he gets an opportunity he needs to take it. The quality of players and the number of players in the first team, when they get an opportunity they have got to take it or it can bypass them very quickly and they might not get another one. That's the harsh reality of it.

"We're happy with where Adam is. He knows he has still got things to work on and if the opportunity comes, that might be during a training week or an illness or injury, he need to make sure he is ready. But I see a maturity in him this year."