Jim Jefferies today admitted he can't wait to have Kevin Kyle fit - because he knows Hearts' new striker will gobble up some of the chances that were created at Dunfermline.

David Templeton was superb at East End Park, but for all his endeavours, the Tynecastle side had only a Calum Elliot consolation goal to show at the end of a disappointing evening in Fife.

Kevin might well miss the start of the season as he requires a minor procedure to tidy up knee surgery he underwent during the close season - not that Jim is prepared to rule him out for even a place on the bench with St Johnstone visit Gorgie on 14th August.

"The mesh which keeps it [the knee] reinforced came away a wee bit so he needs a small operation to tighten that up," Jim said.

"They thought they would get away with an injection so we're back to what we should have maybe done at the start.

"It's probably a two or three week thing, so he might miss the start of the season.

"You look at two or three chances that came in under the bar that Obua missed and the centre half put over the bar that was food and drink for Kevin Kyle.

"He'll be a miss for the start of the season but you never know. Even if I could get him handy for the bench if I needed him to come on if he could not manage 90 minutes [would be good]."

On Hearts.TV today - Listen to post-match reaction from JJ and Ryan Stevenson and catch highlights of defeat at East End Park

Picture courtesy of Mike Bishop for Hearts Media