Hearts have been struck another cruel injury blow after full-back Ben Garuccio was struck down by a freak training-ground injury.
The Australian has been ruled out for 10 months after tearing ligaments in his knee.
Garuccio, who has made 23 appearances this season, is understood to have caught his studs in the turf while turning and crumpled in agony.
Hearts boss Craig Levein confirmed the bad news on Thursday morning as Garuccio joins fellow full-backs Demetri Mitchell and Michael Smith on the sidelines.
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Levein said: "We got a bit of bad news on Wednesday. Ben Garuccio has torn his cruciate in training. So he will be out for 10 months or so.
"His foot got caught in the turf and twisted, just a complete accident."
It's the latest bitter blow to the Jambos with Steven Naismith also unlikely to play again this season after injuring his knee for the second time in the current campaign.
Skipper Christophe Berra, John Souttar and Uche Ikpeazu has all spent lengthy spells on the sidelines too as the Gorgie side saw their storming start to the season stall.
They were leading the Premiership before the injury curse strick.
