HARING NEARING RETURN

CRAIG LEVEIN is praying the return of Peter Haring will combat the loss of Craig Halkett.

The Hearts head coach has confirmed Haring is back training and is expected to return to the first-team fold before the end of the month.

Haring will provide cover for Halkett who has strained his medial ligament and is set to be out for two months.

Levein knows John Souttar is also getting closer to full fitness and has ruled out looking into the free transfer market.

He said: “The only people available are out of contract and haven’t played for a while. That BY SCOTT BURNS means you are probably paying a wage to somebody for a month before he gets up to speed.

“In my experience bringing somebody in at this stage of the season has never been a profitable situation.

“I’m more inclined to stick to our squad and shuffle things.

“We hope Peter will be back in the next two or three weeks. He can fill in at centre-back if need be. I’d hope John will be back soon as well.”

Captain Christophe Berra and Michael Smith are likely to play in the middle of defence, with Clevid Dikamona as back-up for the weekend clash against Kilmarnock.

Haring has not featured since the Scottish Cup Final defeat to Celtic in May but now looks to be over his pelvic and groin problems that have dogged him for the majority of the year.

The Austrian is one of several Hearts stars who are out injured, including Connor Washington and Stevie Naismith.

Levein said: “Peter is out on the grass running. If he doesn’t have any setbacks then we should see him soon. There isn’t a definitive recovery period for this kind of injury.”