McBurnie Coughed Up Blood at Half-Time as Hull and Hearts Count Their Injuries
Hull City head coach Sergej Jakirovic has revealed that Scotland striker Oli McBurnie was coughing up blood at half-time during his side's 1-1 draw with Brentford. BBC Sport The Premier League match was played on 25 October.
McBurnie had given Hull the lead from the penalty spot, a one-on-one kick at the goal after a foul inside the box. Brentford struck back in the second half through Ouattara, and the score stayed level. The striker's condition at half-time is the story that has followed the match since.
Hundreds of miles north, Hearts are dealing with a different kind of worry. Defender Harry Milne, 29, is expected to miss the rest of the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament, a major knee ligament. The injury is the kind that keeps players out for months, not weeks. BBC Sport
Milne is not the only Hearts defender in doubt. Christian Borchgrevink, 27, is waiting on scans. Midfielder Oisin McEntee may have to wait another month to return from injury, according to the club's latest update. BBC Sport
Hearts have been shuffling their squad to cope. Jordi Altena said he is happy to play either at right-back or in midfield, a sign of how willing players are to switch roles when the numbers run short. BBC Sport
Neither story has a neat ending yet. Hull will want clear news on their striker's health, and Hearts will want their scans back and their players back on the training pitch. For both clubs, the next few weeks will mostly be decided away from the match, in medical rooms and clinic waiting areas.
