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HEARTS have asked the SPFL to postpone tomorrow’s game in Inverness after losing 16 players to a sickness virus sweeping through the dressing room.

The Jambos team bus headed north from their Riccarton base at 2pm today with just seven recognised first-team players on board with a crop of kids hastily drafted in to make up the numbers.

Now the club have confirmed they submitted a formal request to the SPFL asking for a postponement due to a highly infectious bout of gastroentiritis which has spread through the squad like wildfire.

A statement just released by the club said: “The club has submitted a formal request to the board of the SPFL to postpone tomorrow night’s fixture at Inverness due to an outbreak of a very contagious viral gastroenteritis amongst the squad.

(Image: SNS Group)

“Until we hear otherwise from the SPFL Board, fans should assume the game will go ahead.”

Hearts expect a response from Hampden this afternoon - but even if their initial request is refused, the governing body might yet face a rules headache if the sickness bug spreads further between now and tomorrow night’s kick-off in the Highlands.

Under SPFL rules every team must name two recognised goalkeepers in their squad and RecordSport understands that Neil Alexander has not travelled with the squad after reporting signs of feeling unwell.

While the intention is that Alexander will still join his team-mates after resting up today, if his condition does worsen that would leave the Jambos only one available goalkeeper - under 20s rookie Kelby Mason.

WATCH Keith and Michael on the weekend action