Falkirk boss Hartley looking for emergency loan keeper
Mitchell was stretchered off after dislocating a kneecap during the recent IRN-BRU Cup win over Dunfermline.
And with only untried youngster Robbie Mutch available as back-up to Robbie Thomson, Hartley is looking to bring in an emergency loan signing as cover.
He said: "David will be out for six to nine months.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad"It's a long one and we need to look at the goalkeeper situation. We've got a young goalkeeper and we don't know if he's quite ready yet so we need to assess that.
"There will be a little bit of scope to bring somebody in but it's not easy trying to bring a goalkeeper in at this stage."
Hartley said that Mitchell, who played under him at Dundee, would be given every support in his fight back to fitness.
He said: "It's a long road for but we've got make sure we're here to support him as a club and we will.
"It will be tough at times but we will have him around the club and keep his spirits high."