Hearts dealt another blow as Mole faces foot X-ray

Published on Tuesday 25 November 2008 22:26

HEARTS striker Jamie Mole has undergone an X-ray amid fears he may have broken a foot.

Mole, 20, suffered the injury during training yesterday and it was deemed serious enough to warrant a visit to hospital.

Manager Csaba Laszlo told the official website, www.heartsfc.co.uk: "Jamie took a blow to his foot so we will see what the scans say.

"We are obviously hoping there is nothing more than the bruising but he is sore so we will have to wait and see what the results of the x-rays are."

Mole's injury is the second big blow for Hearts in the striking department in the last 24 hours after it was revealed Mike Tullberg had suffered another setback in his bid to recover from a torn thigh muscle.

The Dane, on loan from Italian side Reggina, complained of recurring pain in the ruptured quad on Sunday and was forced to abort his return to training.

Laszlo revealed Tullberg, who has made just two appearances this season due to the problem, may be sent back to Denmark for further specialist treatment.

The player sought help for the same injury in his homeland in September from Thomas Macon, the private physio of Denmark's WBA super-middleweight champion Mikkel Kessler.

Laszlo added: "Mike Tullberg still has the same problem and we must make a decision on him.

"I will speak with the doctors, physios and with the sport director maybe today or tomorrow, but we must have a quick solution.

"It might be best for the player to go back to Denmark and see a specialist there, but we will make a decision on this. I hope Mike can come back into the team quickly but he must be free of injury first.

"The player wants to come back but he still has this muscle problem. He tried to train on Sunday but told me he was still getting pain from his muscle and had to stop. We want him fit so we will do what is best for Mike."

Meanwhile, Laszlo has confirmed midfielder Laryea Kingston will be in contention for Saturday's Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash with Rangers if he comes through training unscathed.

The Ghana international has been sidelined with a thigh injury since the Edinburgh derby draw with Hibernian last month.

Laszlo was annoyed the player was forced to travel to and from Africa to get the problem assessed by national team doctors ahead of last week's friendly against Tunisia.

"Larry is training and we will speak about the problems we had," said Laszlo. "We do not have a bad relationship and my door is always open. It is important to think of the club but also of the player and of the team spirit.

"I will look to get him back playing. If he trains all week, he can play against Rangers."