Crocked Kevin Kyle has revealed he is pinning his hopes on career-saving surgery at the end of this month.

The Hearts star hasn't kicked a ball for the Jambos since limping out of last season's Scottish Cup defeat by St Johnstone 12 months ago.

Although his hip injury has failed to respond to two earlier operations and up to 20 injections, the 30-year-old is clinging on to the hope that this latest procedure is a chink of light at the end of what has been a long, dark tunnel.

Kevin will go under the knife in Coventry after which he will begin yet another lengthy rehabilitation programme.

Speaking exclusively to HeartsTV today at Tynecastle, the towering striker said: "The year out of football has been horrendous and has put a lot of stress on me and the family.

"Hopefully I'll be down in Coventry towards the end of next week and get the surgery which will put this to bed once and for all as it has dragged on too long. After the surgery I hope to be back running in three months' time and able to kick a ball. Once that's possible, then I can start moving forward again.

"Everybody is writing me off but I haven't been told I have to retire. It's unlikely I'll be able to feature for Hearts again this season but if I can get back playing professional football again, I'd love to do so at Hearts.

"The first six months here were immense and I felt I was destined to be at this club. The fans took to me and I took to them."

He added: "I don't want to finish my career at 30 and hopefully this works and I can get back playing as there is nothing better. I never envisaged it would take this long and I have every faith this specialist can help me. I have a one-year-old Harry who I want to be able to come and see me in action and I'm determined to do all I can to do that.

"But if I don't recover from this surgery then I'll know the reasons why I can no longer play professional football. I have read lots of fans' forums where they have written me off but at the end of the day, if I have to retire, it will be when I say I have to retire and not when someone else does."

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For Kevin's full and revealing interview, watch HeartsTV today, plus all the goals from the remarkable victory over St Mirren on Saturday.