Beni Baningime is hoping to return for Hearts ahead of schedule.
The midfielder sustained a serious cruciate ligament injury against Livingston in March and was ruled out of top team action until after the World Cup in Qatar. The 23-year-old is determined to shave time off that diagnosis even if it is just one day. The Hearts medical team are working to the six month period but the former Everton admits he is giving the physios a 'heart attack' with his determination to escalate his return from the long-term serious injury.
Liam Boyce had a similar injury to his Hearts team-mate and he returned in a six month time frame which gives Baningime hope and target to aim for. He flew out to Spain and put in the gym work with the rest of the squad but can't wait to get back out on the grass. It's just the midfielder and Craig Halkett who are not fit as pre-season kicks into gear.
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He said: “The physios are the most knowledgeable.
"Pete has been out for a long time and Stephen also. Liam had the same injury as me and came back in six months so that’s what I’m going for. The boys have been great trying to help me through.
“We have a plan for after the break, around December or January. If I can take four weeks or three weeks off that – or even just one day – I’ll take it. That’s what we’ve been speaking about.
“The physios are having a heart attack but I’ll just try to get back as quickly as possible. They have to hold me back. I’m getting a bit excited, telling them I’ll be back next week!
“It’s coming on all right. I’ve started doing gym work so I’ll be strengthening my legs for the next six months to get them as strong as possible and then come back. I’m excited.
“Me and Craig Halkett are the only ones not fit but it was great being with the boys in Spain. Being at the same place, different scenery, great facilities, it’s a lot better.
“It does make you feel part of it. Even in the Scottish Cup Final, you’re a part of it if we had done something special.
“But there’s always a part of you wishing you were out there giving everything you’ve got.”
After suffering the injury Baningime didn't think it was anything too serious.
He thought that he would hear a 'pop' but after discovering the results, it was a different story.
But he sought the advice of former Hearts pal and now Rangers defender John Souttar - who has experienced a number of serious injury setbacks over the past few years.
He continued: “Apparently you’re supposed to hear a pop but I didn’t hear anything.
“I walked off and thought: ‘OK, I should be all right.’ Then the results came back, that’s life.
“I spoke to John Souttar, he’s had a few injuries and come back and look where he is. This happens in football so you need to come back and deal with it.
“I felt like I was in a dream. You know when you have a nightmare and you’re trying to wake up?
“It’s football. I will come back stronger and better.”
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