Hearts have received a welcome boost with midfielder Jamie Walker set to return from injury earlier than expected.
The 26-year-old fractured his leg against Motherwell in August during his side's Betfred Cup victory and the initial diagnosis was that he would be on the sidelines for up to three months.
But Walker has stepped up his recovery and could be back in the side in the coming weeks.
The Jambos host Rangers next Sunday, but it's unlikely he'll be fit in time to face the league leaders. Walker returned to the Edinburgh outfit in the summer from Wigan before suffering the injury after just two league appearances.
Craig Levein is hoping to have Steven Naismith and Peter Haring available for the visit of Steven Gerrard’s side.
Hearts have a host of players out at the moment with John Souttar, Craig Halkett, Conor Washington, Craig Wighton, Ben Garuccio and Uche Ikpeazu all joining Walker on the injury list.
