Robbie Neilson says Hearts will wrap Steven Naismith in cotton wool after the veteran striker returned to training this morning.
Naismith missed friendly clashes against Burnley, Sheffield United and St Mirren as well as sitting out Scotland’s Nations League double header with Israel and Czech Republic with a calf problem.
The 33-year-old is highly unlikely to make Steve Clarke’s squad for the European Championship Play-Off semi-final against Israel next month either.
But Neilson is hopeful the frontman will be fit for the start of Hearts ' campaign with the Betfred Cup clash against Inverness up first on October 6 before the Championship season begins at Tynecastle against Dundee 11 days later.
“Naisy is joining in with us today so hopefully in a couple of weeks’ time he will be back to full fitness,” Neilson told the Evening News.
“We obviously need to take our time with him.
“He’s had a couple of wee niggles recently so we are being very cautious with him.
“We have plenty of time and we will have a number of games coming up as well, so we will gradually introduce him to them and make sure he is right.”
Meanwhile Hearts have decided against offering French midfielder Yann Songo’o a deal.
The 28-year-old had run outs against St Mirren and Burnley in the last week. But Neilson has turned his attention elsewhere as he looks to bring in another midfielder ahead of the season start.
