Blow for Hearts as Brazilian midfielder Ageu could be out for a month with injury

Hearts have been dealt a blow with news that club record signing Ageu has suffered a hamstring injury that’s likely to keep him out until October.

The Tynecastle club will also be without centre-back Frankie Kent when they face Rangers this weekend, and the defender could be out for longer.

The injury news was revealed by head coach Derek McInnes in his media conference on Tuesday, and he admitted the loss of both was disappointing.

He said. “Frankie Kent twisted his knee yesterday in training. He’s got a scan and we’ll get the results of that tomorrow morning. But he’ll be out for Saturday, and we just hope it’s nothing too significant.

“And Ageu felt his hamstring issue last Monday. We hoped we would put some work into him in the international break but we were unable to do so.

“Monday, Tuesday, he was feeling a wee bit of tightness, so we sent him for a scan, but unfortunately for us, he’s got a hamstring that needs to be attended to and looked after.

“He won’t be part of anything for the next couple of games. The only benefit for him and Frankie is that the games are a bit spread out over the next period.”

Hearts face Rangers at Ibrox on Saturday and are at home to Falkirk on September 27 before the first Edinburgh derby of the season at Tynecasle on October 4.

Ageu became the club’s record signing when he moved from Portuguese top-flight side Santa Clara at the end of August, signing a four-year contract.

He had an eye-catching debut in the win over Livingston, but will now need to wait for further appearances. McInnes admitted he would have to be patient but that the midfielder would make an impact.

“We’ve spoken a lot about him and the benefits of having him with us,” he said. “We do feel he brings something a bit different but his influence on the team… We’ll still have time for that this season, but unfortunately, it won’t be immediate.”