Hearts have been hit by an injury blow with striker Juho Makela having damaged ankle ligaments.

The Finnish forward was injured in training on Tuesday and is due to undergo hospital scans today to determine the full extent of the problem.

Initial assessments from the club's medical staff suggest the 25-year-old has suffered a tear, with Juho facing at least a month on the sidelines.

"It doesn't look too good for Juho," boss Csaba Laszlo told Hearts News Today.

"He was in a lot of pain after hurting his ankle and he's going for a scan today. Our medical department has looked at him and it looks like he is going to be out for a number of weeks.

"It's a blow for the player as we have a busy period coming up but the other side of the coin is that it will give someone else an opportunity."

Mike Tullberg, meanwhile, is continuing his rehabilitation in Denmark as he bids to recover from a torn thigh muscle. With the loan star in the middle of a series of planned injections, it will be the New Year before the front man returns to Tynecastle.

And the same goes for Saulius Mikoliunas, the Lithuanian continuing to do well in his recovery from a knee injury back in his homeland.

On Hearts.TV today, an exclusive interview with Marius Zaliukas from the players' visit to the Sick Kids Hospital, while Robbie Neilson looks ahead to Saturday's showdown with Dundee United