Craig Halkett makes injury progress as Hearts wait on Kye Rowles and others

Craig Halkett is making gradual progress in his injury recovery programme at Hearts’ Riccarton training base.

He is now working outside on the pitch and pushing to return to first-team action before the end of the month. Coaching staff are taking a careful approach with the central defender, who suffered a setback last month in a Europa Conference League tie against RFS in Latvia.

Hearts are eager to welcome Halkett back into their central defence after a run of just three wins in their last 14 matches. With fellow defenders Kye Rowles and Michael Smith also missing, the back line at Tynecastle Park is somewhat makeshift at the moment.

They won’t rush the 27-year-old, however, given he has played just 22 minutes of football since August 18. “He is back on the pitch but it's a more gradual process than the last time,” manager Robbie Neilson confirmed to the Evening News. “We just need to wait and see where he is. We are taking it day-by-day to see if we can build him back up.”

Rowles is recovering from a broken foot but this weekend’s Premiership match against Celtic is likely to come too early for both players. “I'd expect them both to still be out. Rowles isn't back running yet,” said Neilson.

Smith has a chance of being fit, likewise wingers Josh Ginnelly and Gary Mackay-Steven. “There are one or two others who have been out and might make it but we just need to wait and see,” added the manager.