Hearts fans were given a welcome sight after John Souttar was pictured running during training.
The Scotland defender has been out since March after suffering another Achilles injury, then suffered a setback in his recovery in August,
Manager Robbie Neilson has been cautious over putting a definitive time line on Souttar’s return to action.
The Tynecastle boss is working on the assumption that he won’t have Souttar available before the end of the Championship season, as the last thing Hearts want to do is rough him back after so many serious injuries.
However, he didn’t completely rule out seeing Souttar pull on the maroon shirt again this campaign.
The hope is that he’ll definitely be back and ready to play from the start of next season, which The Jamnbos are determined will begin with them back in the Scottish Premiership.
“We weren’t expecting the area to be in such good condition when the boot came off.,” said Neilson previously. “He went back down to see the surgeon and he was really pleased with it.
“Now he’s stepped things up.
“We didn’t want to put a time frame on things, which is why we said it would be next season before he’s back - but the more he goes and more he progresses, we might see him back a little earlier.”
Michael Smith is also back training with the squad after being forced to self isolate.
The Northern Irish international tested positive for Covid and missed the 3-1 defeat at Dundee.
However, with Hearts' subsequent matches against either Camelon or Brora and Dunfermline postponed, the right back missed no further action and is available to face Alloa on Saturday.
