Stephen Kingsley is targeting Hearts ’ first game of the season to make his return to competitive action.
But the left back admits it could be touch and go as to whether he’ll be ready in time.
Kingsley netted the fourth goal in hearts 4-0 friendly win over Falkirk in Largs yesterday after being sidelined for four months with a groin injury.
The former Swansea City man last appeared in a 0-0 Championship draw with Arbroath back in March.
But now he’s slowly getting back into the swing of things and has his sights set on the Premier Sports Cup group stage opener next Saturday.
He told the club’s official website: “It’s been a long four months. It was tough being out at the end of the season when I was hoping to get back, but I didn’t know the extent of my injury.
“You just need to get your head around it and I worked really hard in the off-season. Thankfully I was able to get some gametime against Falkirk and hopefully I’ll get some more soon.
“It’s natural to lose muscle, strength and endurance when you’re injured but I think the work I did in the off-season helped with that. It means that I’m now in the position where I can get a bit of game-time and work my way up gradually instead of rushing at the end of pre-season and into the Premier Sports Cup and Premiership games.
“Peterhead is a realistic target. Whether I get to that point or not, we’ll wait and see. But that’s definitely earmarked for being involved in, if not starting. That’s my aim. If it isn’t to be then we looks towards the Celtic game.”
