Ben Garuccio is back running as his recovery from a knee operation continues.
The Australian was ruled out until the New Year after damaging his cruciate ligament during training back at the end of March.
The defender simply caught his studs in the turf at Riccarton and was left writhing in agony.
Hearts confirmed the serious nature of the injury and Garuccio faced a long road back to fitness.
That seems to be going well, however. An operation in April was successful and the 23-year-old is now able to do some light running.
He posted an Instagram video of him running in straight lines, performing sharp changes of direction then testing the knee’s strength on Melbourne beach.
“13 weeks – progressing everyday” read the caption.
Hearts made the decision to have Garuccio operated on back in Australia so he’s closer to family and friends.
He is over in Edinburgh on his own, with his partner back Down Under with his family, so Craig Levein was keen for him to have that support network around him as he made his recovery.
“He is over here on his own and his family back in Australia,” said Levein at the time.
“We’ll get him operated on over there so that he can spend three months at home.
“Even small things like cooking; he is better being back home and taken care of by his parents and friends.”
It will still be some time before Garuccio can think about playing for Hearts again. In the meantime, former Leeds full back Aidy White is being prepared for his return to competitive action and Bobby Burns can provide further cover at left back.
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