Football: BEUZELIN FACES SIX WEEKS OUT; Scottish Premier latest.

Byline: By IAIN CAMPBELL 

GUILLAUME BEUZELIN will spend at least six weeks on the sidelines after learning that he requires an exploratory operation on his knee.

Hibs worst fears were realised when a scan showed the French ace had suffered ligament damage in Monday's clash at Kilmarnock and he will now undergo keyhole surgery in the next week.

Even if the damage is not serious, the keyhole op will still ensure that the midfielder is out for over a month.

Hibs boss Tony Mowbray said: "The scan was read last night and it showed some sort of ligament damage.

"But now Guillaume will have an exploratory operation to disclose the extent of that damage. Hopefully we will have that operation done sooner rather than later, hopefully later this week although there is a chance it won't take place until next week.

"Obviously we are anxious to progress things as quickly as possible and to know what the road forward is going to be."

With fellow midfielders Michael Stewart and Dean Shiels also out of action, the news is a blow.

Defender Gary Smith will also miss Saturday's Scottish Cup clash with Arbroath because of a nagging ankle injury.