Elliot close to return but Glen toiling

CALUM ELLIOT is nearing a return to action after long-term injury, but fellow Hearts striker Gary Glen is set to remain on the sidelines at least until the end of the year.

Elliot has not played since March after being struck down by a knee injury that required surgery. However, with his contract due to expire this summer, the injury-plagued 24-year-old has been handed a boost by returning to training this week.

He is expected to be back in contention for the first team in the next few weeks but will be wary of the fact that, under Paulo Sergio, there is only one central striker’s berth available, as Stephen Elliott and John Sutton are finding to their frustration.

The outlook, however, is bleak for Glen, who is also out of contract in the summer. The forward hasn’t played since the last day of last season and is still some way off a return from an ankle injury. The fact Sergio has never seen him play means his future beyond the summer has to be in doubt.

Another striker fretting about his future is Kevin Kyle, with Sergio confirming this week that he has suffered a setback in his bid to return from a hip injury which has kept him out since January and will probably require more surgery.