Kyle on the comeback trail

Last updated : 14 March 2011 By TwoTonTed
Tynecastle stadium sign Hearts assistant manager Billy Brown is optimistic Kevin Kyle will get to the bottom of his injury troubles in plenty time to be back in action before the end of the season. Kyle has not played for the Jambos since the Scottish Cup defeat by St Johnstone on 11 January after being plagued by pain in his stomach and groin areas. Kyle, who has scored 10 goals this season, visited another specialist today as he looks to return to help the club secure a top-three place in the league. This drive to the top continues against Dundee United on Wednesday.

Brown said: "
The problem is in an area, the stomach, that makes it very difficult to define. He has been to see a few people, I think we're definitely getting there. Kevin, when he was at Sunderland six years ago, had a major hip operation. We have to rule all these things out, it's a process of elimination, but we're getting there. He is in good hands, we have tried everything, we have sent him here, there and everywhere. We're very hopeful (he will play again this season) and he is away to see someone today."

Kyle could soon be joined by a familiar face from Kilmarnock after manager Jim Jefferies held talks with Mehdi Taouil about a Bosman move in the summer. But Brown warned that Hearts faced competition for his autograph. The former Rugby Park assistant manager said: "
Mehdi is a really good wee player and he's a good type of person, the type we would like to bring to this club. We haven't really got a midfield player like him, he can hold on to the ball and create wee situations and open tight defences up. He's got good experience in the Scottish game and he's a good age for us. That's why we're trying to bring him here. But there is competition for Mehdi Taouil and it's not a certainty."

The club's summer transfer plans were further advanced at the weekend when Jefferies held talks with owner Vladimir Romanov in Lithuania. Brown said: "
We're at games here, there and everywhere looking at players and our intention is to strengthen if we possibly can. We're a big club and we want to move on. Hearts should be in third and we want to do better. The owner has put a lot of money into the club and he has still got the ambition to take us as far as he can - that's our ambition as well. When you have been in the game a long time, you know what kind of players can make you better. But it's not easy to get good players, everyone wants good players."