Saulius Mikoliunas, the Hearts winger, may require surgery to repair his damaged knee ligaments.

Mikoliunas returned home to consult Lithuanian medics over the injury he suffered during the Clydesdale Bank Premier League victory over St Mirren a week and a half ago. Csaba Laszlo, the Hearts manager, yesterday revealed the problem is "more complicated" than first thought and surgery is now being considered.

"We have not made a decision yet but this week the player will speak with the doctors and specialists and decide whether to have an operation or not," Laszlo said.

"We cannot think about his services for a long time. His knee injury is more complicated but I hope he is back by the end of December. He is consulting with the doctors back in Lithuania to decide what happens."

Deividas Cesnauskis is also out with a muscle complaint and will not return until next month. Laszlo also revealed Mike Tullberg, the on-loan Danish striker, could recover from a torn quadriceps in time to face Rangers on Saturday week.