Boyle had only recenty returned to full fitness after rupturing his ACL in January.

Now the winger will undergo surgery and will be out of action until 2020 after suffering a reoccurance of the knee injury in a Cup win over Elgin City.

Hibernian head coach Paul Heckingbottom told the club website: "We are all really disappointed with the news. It is the last thing that we wanted after seeing Boyler work so hard in the months that we have been here trying to return to action.

"However, as always, he has put a brave face on it and has already put things into perspective. He will get fantastic support once again during his lay off and will be supporting the rest of the boys as always.”

The injury is a significant spanner in the works of Socceroo coach Graham Arnold.

"There’s no doubting it’s a blow because I put everything into my recovery in the last few months," Boyle said in a statement.

"The positive is that I know what the rehabilitation entails, and I’m just determined to do things properly and get back to the level I know I can get to. The staff have been brilliant with me, as have the rest of the boys in the dressing room.

"I’m gutted it will be a while before I’m back out there with them again, but I’ll be making sure my voice is still heard around HTC. They’re not getting rid of me that easily! I’d also like to thank all the supporters who have sent me words of support since Friday.

"Hopefully it won’t be too long before I’m able to pay them back."