Driver's injury nightmare close to an end as Hearts face St Johnstone

The winger has not made a single appearance for the Jambos this season after undergoing knee surgery to cure tendinitis in the summer but looks poised for a place on the bench for the SPL clash with Derek McInnes' men at Tynecastle.

Driver, whose last match for Hearts was in April last year, had hoped to be back competing for a first-team place in October but his comeback plans were delayed by a thigh tear suffered in a reserve match, ironically, against the Perth side.

In another bid to rectify his problems, Driver travelled to London for cryotherapy on his injured thigh – a procedure which uses extreme cold to freeze and destroy damaged tissue. The player was keen for the treatment to accelerate his recovery time from the thigh strain but the Hearts medical team were determined to ensure a complete recovery and did not want to rush him back.

In recent weeks, Driver has returned to full training with the rest of his team-mates and has been included in warm-up sessions on the pitch before matches, however, he will have to settle for a seat on the substitutes' bench this afternoon.

Driver's career has been curtailed by injuries in recent times and in season 2009/10 he managed just 14 appearances, with only five of those coming since Jim Jefferies returned to Tynecastle as manager in January.

Kevin Kyle, who has missed the last three matches with a groin problem, is doubtful again for the game against Saints, as are Calum Elliot, Darren Barr and Jason Thomson. Rudi Skacel is also battling to shake off a calf strain.