Kevin Kyle will miss the remainder of the Scottish Premier League season with Heart of Midlothian.
The 29-year old centre forward has been sidelined since January 11 and will remain that way after undergoing hip surgery.
Kyle already had a double hernia operation in March but required further surgery and Hearts boss Jim Jefferies has confirmed that he take no further part this campaign.
"Kevin has had an operation to clean his hip out and we will wait and see when it settles down how long it's going to take," he told Hearts TV.
"We tried everything and looked at everything.
"Fingers crossed he makes a full recovery.
"Pre-season is the target for him now, whether he makes it or not I don't know as it's such a short break.
"He may miss the early part of it, I don't know."
