Hearts star Sam Nicholson ruled out for three months

Hearts winger Sam Nicholson has been ruled out of action until next year following a knee operation.

Sam Nicholson has been a key player for Hearts this term

The player went into hospital for some tidy-up surgery on Thursday but doctors found more damage to his knee than was originally anticipated.

As a result, he is unable to play for three months and will miss some crucial Hearts matches between now and January.

Nicholson, 21, is out of contract next summer and is a key part of the first-team squad at Tynecastle.

Hearts are confident he will make a full recovery and return to play a central role for them in 2017.

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