The Jambos gaffer also provided updates on Stephen Kingsley and Lawrence Shankland ahead of their match with Rangers at Ibrox this weekend.

Hearts boss Derek McInnes says that Cammy Devlin expects to be back fit in time for their Scottish Premiership match with Aberdeen at the end of the month.

However, the club’s medical team are less sure that the visit of the Dons to Tynecastle is a probable return date for the Australian. The 27-year old last featured in the Jambos’ 2-0 win at home to St Mirren on January 14 where he picked up the ankle injury which has ruled him out since.

McInnes, who was speaking ahead of his side’s massive Scottish Premiership match with Rangers at Ibrox this Sunday, has revealed the conversations he has had with Devlin. The head coach also spoke on fellow injured duo Lawrence Shankland and Stephen Kingsley.

‘He thinks he’ll make it’ - Devlin optimistic of Hearts return in time to face Aberdeen but club physios not so sure

He said: “If you speak to the physios, you think Aberdeen's going to come too soon for him. You speak to Cammy, he thinks he'll make it.”

The Hearts head coach had previously told the Edinburgh Evening News that he personally believed the Aberdeen game would be a ‘bit of a stretch’ in terms of a potential return date for Devlin.

McInnes also reiterated that club captain Lawrence Shankland will be out for a wee bit longer, saying: “Lawrence will be the back at the end of March. Having two league games just in March helps us because of the international break and stuff.

“So, I think Lawrence will miss his next three in February and the two games in March. And then, hopefully, he'll be back available."

On defender Stephen Kingsley, McInnes added: “Kingsley had a wee bit of setback. Initially, he went out with a groin injury before Dundee. We were doing set plays.

“He's now picked up a calf injury doing the work. We got him scanned and, unfortunately, he'll be out for another five weeks, which is far from ideal."

Hearts get set for Rangers at Ibrox this weekend

Those three players will obviously miss this Sunday’s match with Rangers at Ibrox which looks set to be another crucial fixture in the Scottish Premiership title race. The Edinburgh club currently have a five point lead on their Glasgow rivals, who sit second, in the league table while third place Celtic are another point behind their Old Firm rivals.

Hearts were 2-0 winners at Ibrox earlier this season and also beat Danny Rohl’s side 2-1 at Tynecastle during the festive period. The match kicks off at 4:30pm on Sunday and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports for supporters who don’t have a ticket for the away end at Ibrox Stadium.

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