Hearts have been handed a major pre-season injury boost with Robbie Neilson confirming defender Craig Halkett should be ready for the start of the new season.
The Jambos are currently in Spain as they take in a warm-weather training camp as pre-season plans get well underway ahead of a huge season in the capital. The Tynecastle side are guaranteed a European group stage adventure alongside domestic matters with Europa League or Europa Conference League group stage football coming to Edinburgh.
Halkett was a key member of the team that secured that finished third behind Celtic and Rangers in the Premiership standings last season and reached the Scottish Cup Final. The stopper put off surgery in order to face the Light Blues at Hampden before going under the knife two days after the showpiece.
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READ MORE: Hearts boss Robbie Neilson eyes five more summer transfers as he pinpoints key positions
He has since returned to training and is doing some running in the sweltering Spanish heat with Neilson revealing his timeline to fitness.
He said: “He got an op two days after the cup final so he's back individual training.
"He's come to Spain and done running but he should be back about two weeks into pre-season. He should be ready for the start of the season.
"He'll get three weeks of pre-season under his belt with the group. He got injured in the semi-final and needed an op but the surgeon said we could wait until after the final.
“So as soon as that was done we got him in and he should be fine."
Earlier today Hearts confirmed the permanent signing of midfielder Jorge Grant to take the summer recruitment drive to five new players.
Alan Forrest, Lewis Neilson, Kye Rowles, Alex Cochrane and now Grant have all put pen to paper with the Jambos this summer.
Neilson has already stated his desire to bring in more signings - particularly in the attacking third - and increase his overall squad size.
He has now revealed he hopes to get a few more signings done over the coming days and weeks.
He added: "I am pleased with the ones who have come in. Kye Rowles isn't here yet, we are still waiting on everything to come through.
"We gave him and Nathaniel Atkinson another couple of weeks off after their World Cup exploits.
“Everyone else is here and we are hoping to get a few done in the coming days and weeks.”
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