Lee Wallace exits Scotland's win over Liechtenstein injured, leading to a minimum six months lay-off. Pic: ©SNS Group
Hearts defender Lee Wallace's season is all but over after the left-back tore the posterior cruciate ligament in his knee while on international duty. The 23-year-old Scotland player will be out of action for at least six months, following a crude tackle from Liechtenstein's Martin Stocklasa in Tuesday night's Euro 2012 qualifier.
Wallace was upended on a trademark run down the left flank five minutes into the second half, taking flight after Stocklasa cut across his path to block his surge into the penalty area.
Scotland physio Michael McBride and medical staff immediately tended to the player, who was taken from the park on a stretcher shortly after in obvious discomfort, and was replaced by Barry Robson.
After a scan on Wednesday morning, his club confirmed he will have to spend at least half a year without doing any physical work. The player will then have to go through an extensive rehabilitation process to build the strength back up in his knee, leaving Wallace with an uphill battle to see any action before the close of the season on the weekend of May 15, 2011.
"Lee has torn his cruciate ligament, the posterior, and we are looking at six months out of action," Hearts boss Jim Jefferies confirmed to Hearts' official website.
"It appears his season is all but over and that is a hammer blow, first and foremost for the lad as everything seemed to be falling into place for him. His form had taken him into the international team, he had taken over the captain's armband with Marius out and he had been doing really well.
"It's also a major blow for the club and the team and it goes without saying everyone at the football club wishes him well with his recovery."
Wallace was passed fit to face Liechtenstein after an ankle injury forced him to miss the 0-0 draw in Lithuania on Friday, with Steven Whittaker filling in at left-back in his absence. His appearance in the 2-1 win at Hampden on Tuesday night was his fourth international cap, having made his debut in a friendly away to Japan in October 2009.
