Hearts striker Kevin Kyle hopes surgery will save career

Kyle (left) has spent a year on the sidelines with a hip injury

Hearts striker Kevin Kyle is to undergo further surgery at the end of this month in a bid to save his career after a year-long absence with a hip injury.

The 30-year-old last played in the Scottish Cup fourth-round clash with St Johnstone on 11 January - last year.

Kyle told Hearts TV: "I've overcome some things in my life and this has been one of the hardest things.

"Nobody's said I'll have to retire. I've got a chance and hopefully the option I've got will work."

Kyle's early career with Sunderland was hampered by a similar injury and further problems have limited his appearances with subsequent clubs.

"I just don't believe for a minute I need to finish football and I'm hoping the surgery I get at the end of the month will sort all that and give me everything I need to push on again," said the striker capped 10 times for Scotland.

"Hopefully it's just an impingement, where two bones are rubbing, and they can be shaved off and smoothed.

"Hopefully that will put an end to this saga and I can resume my football career.

"I never envisaged it would take this long. I'd just like to get back playing, even if it's for one season."

Following consultations with numerous specialists, Kyle has had a three-dimensional picture of his hip joint produced, showing signs of various issues, including arthritis, something the surgeon is not too concerned about.

"Without question, this is what I've been looking for," he said.

"If I don't recover from this surgery, I'll know the situation, I'll know what's wrong with me and I'll know why I can't play football. I'll be able to take that and understand it.

"Hopefully, once all this is done, I've got that improvement needed to return to professional football and see out my career as I hope to see out my career. Not to finish at 30 and worry about the future."

Kyle's Hearts contract expires at the end of the current campaign, two years after he signed from Kilmarnock.

However, the former Scotland striker hopes to be given an opportunity to stay at Tynecastle, despite realising that he is unlikely to feature this season for a club already busy reducing its playing staff to cut costs.

"If I can get myself fit and be able to play professional football then I'm quite prepared to come and play for Hearts for whatever," he added.

"I know the situation I'm in. I don't expect to demand wages that I get now.

"I just would like to play football. If Hearts turned around and made an offer, I'd be more than happy.

"The first six months I had here at Hearts were immense and this last year has been totally horrendous for me and my family.

"It's put a big stress on us and I've missed doing something I really, really enjoyed.

"I felt I was destined to be at this club. The fans took to me and I took to them."