Hearts interim boss Stephen Frail this afternoon confirmed that Ricardas Beniusis has returned to FBK Kaunas after his loan spell at Tynecastle was terminated.

The Lithuanian striker, who started only one game - against Hibs on the opening weekend of the season - has returned to his homeland after failing to command a regular slot in the Jambos' first team squad.

Speaking at today's pre-match news conference, Stephen said, "He featured very rarely. He started the Hibs game at the beginning of the season and has not started one since.

"Ricardas was a nice lad, and a good trainer, but we couldn't see a regular starting place for him in the team. Kaunas have taken him back and we wish him all the success."

The caretaker manager is satisfied that Hearts will cope with the loss of Ricardas. In addition to noting Christian Nade he added, "We still have young Jamie [Mole] who came in for his first start last week. He did not do badly, although he can do better.

"We've got Calum Elliot, and Ksanavicius and Kingston can play up there off the striker. Makela also scored two goals for the reserves midweek, so we've got some options."

And he conceded that selecting the hitman for an opening day derby set him back too far, in the end, for him to recover.

"In hindsight it was unfair on the lad to put him in and we saw how he suffered," Stephen said. "But he never let it affect him in and around the club.

"He was an amiable lad and very likeable but it took him a long time to recover."

On Hearts.TV today - watch the pre-match news conference from Riccarton later. Listen to tomorrow's game LIVE from 2pm.

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