Further blow for Souttar

Hearts boss Robbie Neilson admits he is ‘devastated’ for John Souttar after revealing the defender has suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon for the third time in the space of just three years.

The luckless Scotland internationalist will undergo surgery tomorrow after scans confirmed his worst fears.

The 23-year-old is now facing a “lengthy lay-off”, according to the Tynecastle outfit, and will not be expected to play again until well into next year.

Souttar was nearing a comeback from the snapped tendon he suffered in February’s Scottish Cup victory over Rangers and was hopeful of a return to action next month.

But the former Dundee United player, who tore his other Achilles in January 2017 and has had spells out with ankle, knee and hip problems, has been dealt the hammer blow of a recurrence of the injury sustained while running last week.

Souttar confessed earlier this month that, following February’s injury, he thought his career may be “finished” because he was unsure if he had it “in me to come through that again”.

Neilson said: “First and foremost, we’re devastated for John. His tendon has gone again so he’s going to go in for an op on Wednesday. And then we’re just hoping to get him back as soon as we can, but 100%.

“So, it’s been a real blow for both John and the club.

“Obviously, having had it already, and just coming back from it, it’s been a tough few days for him, but we’re here to help him.

“He’s got a good family around about him as well. We’ll get him the best care we can get and hopefully he’ll come back as quickly as he can.”

Hearts have been in talks with New Zealand internationalist Tommy Smith in a bid to plug the gap left by Souttar’s absence.

John Souttar: Ruptured Achilles tendon again.