Dylan McGowan in line for Hearts comeback

HEARTS’ injury woes are set to ease, with manager John McGlynn revealing that Dylan McGowan is in line to face St Johnstone next weekend, and that Jason Holt and Jamie Hamill are not far behind in their comeback bids.

McGowan and Holt have been missing since sustaining injuries in the 4-0 defeat at home to Celtic a week past Wednesday, and the Australian is poised to return to training on Monday with a view to featuring in the SPL match at McDiarmid Park a week today.

Holt is expected back in training the following week, so should be targeting the home game against Dundee United on Sunday, 23 December.

“We reckon Dylan will be back training on Monday,” said McGlynn. “His problem is down his hip but the physios are telling me he will probably be able to train again on Monday.

“It will probably be the following Monday before Holt is back training. He got a bad one on his ankle in a tackle with Charlie Mulgrew and he’s damaged ligaments, so he will be a week or so yet. When that happens it’s a two to three-week injury so he is on that timescale.”

Hamill, meanwhile, is closing in on a return after being sidelined since early April when he suffered cruciate knee ligament damage in training in the lead-up to the Scottish Cup semi-final win over Celtic. He is expected to begin light training this week.

“Jamie is going to be back running from Monday,” said McGlynn. “He got a jag in his knee so he’s feeling a lot better now. The physio will start running him on Monday and hopefully he isn’t too far away. It’s a big boost having him back.”