'He's a good healer' - McInnes hopes for positive Shankland news

Derek McInnes hopes Lawrence Shankland's injury "settles" this week, as he hinted he may add to Hearts midfield options.

Scotland forward Shankland converted the penalty that forced extra time in Saturday's Scottish Cup tie with Falkirk at Tynecastle but limped off before the penalty shootout, which the visitors won 5-4.

The Scottish Premiership leaders this week lost Cammy Devlin to injury for up to eight weeks and fellow midfielder Beni Baningime also appeared to be nursing an injury in the closing stages against Falkirk.

Hearts host Celtic at Tynecastle in their next league game on 25 January.

"We'll see how he is," McInnes told BBC Scotland. "He doesn't like coming off. He looks a bit concerned about it but hopefully it settles. He's normally a good healer.

"We've got too many injuries going through the club at the minute. We've got an opportunity to maybe react in the transfer market this week.

"Losing wee Cammy Devlin was a blow, Baningime suspended [against Celtic]. It goes without saying that we're a bit short in that area as well.

"It will be a challenge but we'll be ready for them."

McInnes felt Hearts had been hard done by after Tomas Bent Magnusson netted but was then penalised for handball by VAR, meaning it remained 0-0 with Falkirk, who soon took the lead through Ben Parkinson.

"Disappointed with the goal that was chalked off," said McInnes, who had only seen the incident from one angle at the time of his interview.

"I don't see an obvious handball there. I thought that was harsh.

"The players are devastated. It was always going to be a challenging week this, with the way the scheduling was with our third game in six days.

"It comes down to penalties. Falkirk's penalties were terrific. Credit to them."