Edinburgh's John Hardie ruled out for two months after surgery

John Hardie was taken off on a stretcher against Australia

Edinburgh flanker John Hardie will be sidelined for up to two months after undergoing surgery on an ankle injury picked up while playing for Scotland.

The 28-year-old suffered the ankle sprain during Saturday's 23-22 defeat by Australia at Murrayfield.

A Scottish Rugby spokesman said: "Back-row John Hardie has been ruled out of the remainder of Scotland's 2016 Autumn Test campaign through injury.

"He is expected to be out of action for up to eight weeks."

Scotland host Argentina at Murrayfield on Saturday and take on Georgia at Rugby Park, Kilmarnock, seven days later.

Hardie's injury opened the door for club-mate Magnus Bradbury to be chosen for his international debut at blindside against the Argentines.

Edinburgh have five Pro12 fixtures, including a derby against Glasgow Warriors, and European Challenge Cup group games against Stade Francais, Harlequins and Timisoara Saracens between now and the end of January.