Liam Boyce fitness boost for Hearts ahead of the opening Premiership game at St Johnstone

Northern Irishman likely to be an integral part of the plans this season

Liam Boyce has resumed training with Hearts and should be in contention to play in Saturday’s opening Premiership fixture at St Johnstone. Boyce is back involved with the first-team squad at Riccarton after a calf problem kept him out of sessions last week as well as the final pre-season friendly against Leeds United.

The Northern Irishman is fit enough to train and is expected to make the matchday squad for the trip to Perth. Hearts aim to start their league campaign positively against Steven MacLean’s St Johnstone side, who endured a difficult July with elimination from the Viaplay Cup.

Boyce will be a vital part of Hearts’ plans this season provided he remains fit. He missed the vast majority of last term after suffering a cruciate knee ligament injury in August, but is now poised for a competitive comeback almost a year later. His goalscoring instinct and experience at the age of 32 will help strengthen the club’s attack.

Riccarton management must do without Alex Cochrane for the start of the season, however. The left-back has incurred a three-match suspension in the league, which means he will not be available to play Premiership fixtures until September. It comes as a result of two red cards against Celtic last season, plus one against Hibs in the final match.

Hearts coaching staff will assess midfielder Beni Baningime over the next 24 hours before deciding whether he is ready for a competitive return. He has also been recovering from a cruciate ligament injury sustained in March 2022 but featured during pre-season games.