Hearts' Kyle to see specialist over injury

HEARTS striker Kevin Kyle is to consult a specialist again next week over the groin injury which is threatening to ruin his season.

After several injections, the 29-year-old remains sidelined by a problem which is proving persistent. It will now be down to medical experts to determine whether he will be able to restart training or whether an operation is required to cure the injury.

Kyle will meet with doctors on Wednesday, with Hearts manager Jim Jefferies hoping for a definitive answer on when his top goalscorer will return.

"Kevin Kyle had another injection last week and he sees the specialist again on Wednesday. We'll have a clearer picture after that," he said.

David Obua is also on the treatment table after having 15 stitches inserted in a leg wound he apparently knew nothing about. He played through most of the first half against Dundee United last week with the huge cut, sustained in a tackle, and only realised the severity of his injury at half-time. "I think he nearly fainted when he took his socks off," explained Jefferies. "There was an unbelievable gash on his shin. He said he received it after only five minutes in a tackle. He saw some blood flying about and when he took down his sock there was a huge gash. It took 15 stitches.

"The doctor did a fantastic job because it took most of the second half to stitch it."