Dinamo defensive duo out.

Last updated : 15 August 2009 By Derrick O'neill
Hearts have been handed a massive boost with the news their Europa League opponents Dinamo Zagreb are going to be without two of their key defenders.

Robert Kovac will miss the first tie at the Maksimir Stadium with a foot injury, the severity of it meaning he could be out for the return game at Tynie.

Fellow defender Dejan Lovern will sit out Thursdays clash through suspension after picking up a booking in both his sides previous qualifiers against Red Bull Salzburg and Pyunik.

Dinamo coach Krunoslav Jurcic insisted that the missing duo will not dent his sides preparations too much and he expects the Croatian champs to be too much for Hearts at the intimidating Maksimir Stadium. He did hint that he may be more defensive away.

Jurcic might just be ready to underestimate both Hearts in the first game and our own intimidating stadium in the second.

Wait til he samples the atmosphere of Tynecastle!