Hearts full-back Marcus Godinho has suffered injury and omission on artificial pitches as he backed calls to scrap the surfaces in Scotland's top flight.

Godinho had a second knee operation last year after getting injured on Kilmarnock's Rugby Park pitch and lost his place in the team two weeks ago after the same surface was deemed too high a risk for him.

"I feel it's too soon to risk it on astro, so we thought it was better to leave the game," he said.

"For me it was tough because I had played against St Johnstone, done well and scored, and then the boys went to Kilmarnock and did really well and I haven't been back in the team.

"I've had knee problems and playing on the astro pitch, I notice a massive difference. Whether it be five or 10 minutes just training on it, I can feel it right away.

"I find running on the surface is so hard, there is no give, and I feel my cartilage right away. And also changing direction, you feel the difference.

"After my first op, I did my second one on an astro pitch, so it can be dangerous."

Godinho was speaking after signing a PFA Scotland petition calling for artificial surfaces to be scrapped in the top flight – along with every other player from the nine Ladbrokes Premiership clubs with grass parks.

Hearts boss Craig Levein feels players must be listened to and offered a solution.

"I think football should be played on grass," Levein said. "I would be all for every team in the league having grass pitches and getting financial support from the SPFL.

"If there was a central fund for everyone to maintain their pitches to a high standard, I would be all for that.

"When you get 100 per cent of players saying they don't like playing on plastic, you have got to listen to that."

Godinho could return for Sunday's trip to Motherwell after fellow full-backs Michael Smith and Demetri Mitchell suffered injuries which ruled them out for six to eight weeks.

"Mick's been great so it's been tough to get myself in the team but with him being out it's going to provide a lot more opportunities for me," the right-back said.

"I'm gutted for him but at the same time it's an opportunity for me so I'm excited.

"I've been doing a little bit extra, I'm always in the gym doing circuits and trying to keep myself ticking over.

"There's only so much you can do when you're not actually playing games, it's tough to be match fit, but every little bit you can do makes a difference when you're out there."