Donis Avdijaj ready for Hearts return against Motherwell

Kosovo winger has taken longer to adapt than club expected

Donis Avdijaj could return to action with Hearts against Motherwell

Hearts manager Daniel Stendel admits winger Donis Avdijaj has taken longer than expected to adapt to Scottish football, but he could feature against Motherwell today.

Avdijaj is ready to return to action after some intensive training at Riccarton in recent weeks. He has made just three appearances since arriving in Edinburgh in January, managing only 45 minutes in the last six games.

Stendel insisted that the Kosovan internationalist has the required quality to succeed in Scotland. He signed a short-term contract which expires in May and needs more game time to prove his capabilities in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

With fellow winger Lewis Moore doubtful this afternoon due to a hamstring injury, Avdijaj could find himself involved at some stage against Motherwell.

"Avdijaj is still training. He played well for the reserves last week so maybe he will be an option for Saturday,” Stendel told the Evening News.

“Not only me, I think he also expected that he would be quicker to get into a shape to help us. This is the situation.

“He has the quality to help us and I hope he will do it in the next few games. He has the chance like every other player.”

Stendel moved to sign Avdijaj in January after the player agreed to cancel his contract at the Turkish club Trabzonspor.

The manager remains hopeful that the 23-year-old can recapture form and fulfil the potential he showed as a teenager in Germany with Schalke 04.