Kevin Kyle facing operation and month out if injection fails

KEVIN Kyle will learn over the next few days if he needs an operation which would rule him out of action for a month or more.

The Hearts striker has missed his club's last five games with a groin injury and has been given an injection in the hope of curing the problem. If that does not work he faces an operation, perhaps as early as next week, which would necessitate several weeks of recuperation.

"He's received another injection and he's just got to crash on in training with the physio to see if there's any reaction to that," Hearts manager Jim Jefferies said yesterday. "If there's no reaction then we can get him back in.

"If he still feels it, then that's the last thing we can do. We've done everything we can and it'll just be a case of looking at further surgery. He would be out for four or five weeks if that happened." Kyle appears unlikely to make it into Jefferies' squad for tomorrow's game at Hamilton but, if all goes well, the target man is expected to make his return for next Saturday's match against Dundee United.

If an operation is required, conversely, Kyle's comeback could be delayed until the final weeks preceding the split, which takes place in mid-April.

"The injection needs a couple of days to settle down and kick in," Jefferies continued.

"Then we can step up his training but, if he still feels it, that's the last thing we can do.

"The last thing you want to do it go through surgery. We'll give him every chance."

Kyle's fellow striker Calum Elliot is also expected to miss the visit to New Douglas Park and Jefferies' options up front are further restricted by the possible unavailability of David Obua.

"What is annoying and frustrating for us is that Kevin Kyle and Calum Elliot are out at this time and there's a doubt about big David Obua for Saturday," the manager added.

"The striking area has been hit badly. Had these boys been fit, I would have been very happy with the squad that I've got until the end of the season.

"It's just frustrating now that these three players are all doubtful."

Suso Santana is also a doubt for tomorrow's match but his fellow winger, Andrew Driver is back in contention after missing last week's bounce match at East Fife because of illness.