John Souttar is set for another lengthy spell on the sidelines after a scan revealed the extent of his Achilles injury.
Daniel Stendel confirmed that the defender will miss around six months of action.
Souttar suffered the injury in the early stages of Hearts' victory over Rangers last weekend, and was stretchered off the field of play. He went for a scan on Monday and it revealed a ruptured Achilles tendon.
He will undergo surgery and then start a lengthy rehabilitation process. He's not likely to return to action until around September time.
The defender suffered a similar injury in January 2017, and faced months on the sidelines as a result.
Stendel said this week: "He has ruptured it again.
"He'll go for surgery next week and will need the same time to come back as he did before."
Hearts host Motherwell in the Ladbrokes Premiership today, and will be eyeing a third straight victory and another crucial three points.
