Beni Baningime still has Hearts role despite injury agony as Robbie Neilson reveals John Souttar return timeline

Aaron McEneff insists joyful Jambo Beni Baningime still has a role to play as Hearts chase third spot and Scottish Cup glory – despite the body blow of being ruled out for nine months.

Baningime this week received the devastating news he had damaged his ACL in the win over Livingston a fortnight ago and will not play again until deep into next season.

The midfielder had been a massive part of Hearts’ charge to third and, with an Edinburgh derby semi-final just two weeks away, he would have been integral to a pivotal stage in the campaign.

But McEneff has revealed the ex-Everton playmaker, despite his shocking luck, has continued to keep the dressing room smiling.

And the Irishman says everyone will be ensuring the 23-year-old remains fully involved in their final push.

He said: “We’re a really tight group, they’re a great bunch of fellas and all stick together.

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“If you want to be successful, you need a good group of people before a good group of players. And we definitely have that within the changing room.

“We’ll definitely stick together, no matter who it is, and get behind each other.

“I’m gutted for Beni. I’m quite close with him. When it happened I didn’t realise how severe it was going to be.

“I