Beni Baningime: Hearts midfielder out until next season with cruciate injury

Baningime will be out for the rest of the season after sustaining a knee injury in the win over Livingston.

He scored the opener in the 2-0 victory and was withdrawn after 36 minutes.

Baningime has made 27 appearances since joining Hearts.

Beni will have surgery before embarking on a rehabilitation programme.

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First and foremost, we are all gutted for Beni. He had been doing well for us, so to now face a long period out is hard for him to take.

The medical team at the club is first class and he will get the best support from them, from his teammates and the coaching staff. There is no pressure on him to come back.

We want him to come back in the best possible shape, as well as the fans, and that will take as long as it takes.

After the international break on 2 April, Hearts will face Ross County.