Hearts manager Derek McInnes admitted that 30-year-old Norwegian midfielder Sander Kartum might not have been loaned to Wellington Phoenix if the club had known the extent of the injuries that would follow. The deal for Kartum was finalized the week before multiple new injuries reduced the number of available players in the squad, particularly in the midfield area. Before his loan move, Kartum had not made any appearances for Hearts in the Scottish Premiership this season. His contract with the club runs until May 2027, and his current market value is €400k, according to Transfermarkt.