Robbie Neilson expects Craig Halkett to be fit for the start of the season after surgery on his ankle. The defender was injured during Hearts 'Scottish Cup semi-final victory over Hibs in April and had to be stretchered off.
Halkett feared his season was over, but was told by the surgeon that he could delay going under the knife until after the final against Rangers. Two days after Hearts’ extra-time defeat at Hampden, Halkett went in for surgery and is now back running. He’ll continue with his individual training programme during this week’s training camp in Spain, and should be ready for action by the time the Gorgie boys kick-off their Premiership campaign at home to Ross County on July 30.
“He got an op two days after the cup final so he's back individual training,” said Neilson. 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."
Neilson is happy with the condition his charges returned in after a short summer break as the fitness work gets ramped up on the Costa Del Sol.
"It's good to be back,” he said. “The boys have been in a few days now and had their first on-pitch session last Thursday. They have all come back in decent nick. They only had a month off so we are looking forward to getting cracked in now.
"We gave all the boys a programme and they've all done it. They are back in good condition and we have a lot of games coming up, so everyone will be involved.
Three of Neilson’s four summer signings so far are in Spain. Alan Forrest and lewis Neilson jetted out from Edinburgh with the squad last Friday before Alex Cochrane joined up after putting pen to paper on a three-year deal.
Australian Kye Rowles has been given extra time off after helping the Socceroos qualify for the World Cup and will meet his new teammates when all the transfer red tape is out of the way.
Neilson 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.”
