Hearts' Andrew Driver stopped in his tracks by another setback

ANDREW Driver's injury-hit season continued yesterday after he was ruled out for at least two weeks with a thigh strain.

The 22-year-old Hearts winger, who has only recently return from the tendonitis which has dogged him for virtually the whole campaign, lasted just 33 minutes of Saturday's 1-0 Clydesdale Bank Premier League win over Kilmarnock. Driver pulled up at Tynecastle shortly after Suso Santana's winning goal and was replaced by David Templeton.

The former England Under-21 international will now miss Sunday's trip to Rangers and the home match against Motherwell the following weekend.

Manager Jim Jefferies admitted it was difficult to put an exact timescale of Driver's recovery, telling Hearts News: "I think we are looking at around two weeks at the moment, but whatever the timescale it's another disappointment for the lad, who has had a few injuries this season."

Jefferies hopes to welcome captain Michael Stewart back from a calf injury this weekend, while defender Ismael Bouzid is also nearing a return after missing two months of action with a hamstring problem. But striker Gary Glen is doubtful with a similar injury, while defender Jose Goncalves remains sidelined with a knee problem.

Meanwhile, Jefferies has warned the players he wants out of the club this summer that they are running out of time to change his mind.

"The next couple of weeks will see us making moves towards making decisions," he said. "I have doubts about some."