Hamill injury offers Tynecastle squad new cup incentive

Jamie Hamill has been left devastated by a cruciate ligament injury that could keep the Hearts defender out for up to nine months, but his team-mates hope to draw a smile from him by reaching the Scottish Cup final.

Hamill ruptured ligaments during training this week as he prepared for Hearts' semi-final meeting with Celtic on Sunday. The club have not given any indication as to how long the full-back will be sidelined for but similar injuries have tended to require lengthy recovery. His absence will be keenly felt by the Tynecastle squad and evoked sympathy from his manager.

"We all feel sorry for him," said Paulo Sergio, the Hearts manager. "We will give him all the support he needs to get through this and hopefully we can deliver a good result for him on Sunday.

"He is one of the guys who never missed a day's training and then this happens to him and I'm very sad for him. I have no doubt he will come back strongly as he is one of the strongest characters in our dressing room. I am sure he will recover sooner than anyone could imagine as he is a strong guy."

The Tynecastle side can expect trouble in trying to add to the squad at the end of the season, too. Hearts and city rivals Hibernian are both chasing goalkeeper Ernestas Setkus, with Bristol City also expressing an interest in the Lithuanian.

The 26-year-old has been offered to the sides on a free transfer in the summer, as his contract at Cypriot side Olympiakos Nicosia is due to expire at the end of the season. Setkus has earned three caps for Lithuania, the most recent of which came in June last year against Norway, saving a penalty from Morten Gamst Pedersen.

Hearts released Marian Kello earlier this year, but any deal would have to be completed on modest terms, given the Tynecastle club's need to cut costs. Sergio's budget for the 2012/13 term is expected to be confirmed next month.

Hibs will be keen to explore potential new goalkeeping options, given Graham Stack's contract will expire at the end of the season and the club are yet to agree a new deal with the 30-year-old.

Taken from the Herald