HALKETT IN THE RUNNING FOR OPENER
ROBBIE NEILSON expects Craig Halkett to be fit for the start of the season after surgery on his ankle.
The defender was injured in the Jambos’ Scottish Cup semifinal win over Hibs in April.
Halkett had feared his season was finished but was told by the surgeon he could delay going under the knife until after the showpiece against Rangers.
Two days on from Hearts’ extra-time defeat at Hampden, the 27-year-old centre-half went in for his op and is now back running this week at the club’s training camp in Spain.
With the Gorgie side set to kick off their Premiership campaign against Ross County at Tynecastle on July 30, gaffer Neilson said: “He should be ready for the start of the season. He’ll get three weeks of pre-season under his belt with the group.”
Three of Neilson’s four summer signings – Alan Forrest, Lewis Neilson and Alex Cochrane – are in the Costa del Sol, while Aussie Kye Rowles has extra time off after helping the Socceroos qualify for the World Cup via the play-offs.
But midfielder Loic Damour has left the club to join French side Versailles after almost three years in Edinburgh.