Hearts manager Robbie Neilson admits he has been really pleased with the contribution of on-loan forward Stephen Humphrys, although he confirmed there isn't a rush to look to make the deal permanent quite yet but hinted at potential January incomings.
The 25-year-old signed a season-long loan with the Tynecastle outfit in August and is contracted to English Championship side Wigan until summer 2024. Humphrys has made ten appearances so far for the Jambos and quickly cemented himself as a fan favourite with goals, assists, skill and pace. He had scored two goals in his last four Hearts games, including netting against Fiorentina in a Europa Conference League tie in Italy but has since been sidelined with an ankle injury sustained in a 4-3 Scottish Premiership defeat to Celtic last month.
Neilson, who has been rocked by a lengthy injury list during the early season, reckons they will wait until the New Year before entering any negotiations with Humphrys as he revealed all the concentration is going towards bolstering the squad when the window reopens. “It's the same with all the guys who are on loan or who are coming out of contract. Now isn't really the time to be discussing that. We will concentrate on the games and the January window and then see where we are come February or March," insisted Neilson. “It's something we will probably deal with towards the end of the season. Stephen has done great for us and he's here until the summer. I think he still has some time left on his contract down at Wigan. We are concentrating on recruiting."
Kilmarnock travel to Gorgie on December 17 when the domestic season returns with Hearts sitting fifth in the league table ahead of the World Cup and Neilson believes the sooner Humphrys is back fit and in contention to start, the better it will be for the team as he cited the attacker's key traits.
“He is different to a lot of players in Scotland,” added Neilson. “He's got pace, power and aggression but also technically he is strong. I've been really pleased with him and I'm disappointed he's been missing for the last few weeks. He likes to get running into space and use his physicality, so the sooner he gets back fit the better.”
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