Two former Carlisle United frontmen are facing up to long spells on the sidelines after suffering pre-season injuries.

Both Harry McKirdy and Jack Stretton have been ruled out for significant periods.

Hibernian striker McKirdy will be out for between four to six months.

It follows the discovery of an "issue" during routine pre-season scans.

Hibs have not revealed the detail of the issue but said that, following further investigation by the club's medical staff and then a meeting with a specialist, 26-year-old McKirdy requires surgery.

Manager Lee Johnson told the Hibs website: “This has come as a real shock for us all and has been a tough few days for Harry as we came to the bottom of what the scans meant.

“We’re all with him, have to rally around him and give him as much support as possible.

“We have a first-class medical department that will look after him and make sure he comes back fit and healthy.”

McKirdy had been linked with loan moves to Colchester United and Leyton Orient but any possible departure from Edinburgh will now be on the backburner.

Stockport County's former Blues loan man Stretton, meanwhile, will miss most of the 2023/24 season with an anterior cruciate knee ligament injury.

The striker, who faced Carlisle in May's League Two play-off final, suffered the injury in training.

The Hatters, in an update on social media, said: "The manager [Dave Challinor] confirmed in his pre-season update that Jack Stretton has unfortunately sustained an ACL injury in training, and will miss the majority of the 2023/24 campaign.

"Stay strong, Stretts!"