Jamie Hamill eyes return at Christmas for Hearts

JAMIE HAMILL revealed today that he’s targeting a Christmas return to the Hearts side but insisted he won’t jeopardise his recovery from cruciate ligament damage by rushing back too quickly.

The Hearts midfielder has been out of action since April after suffering the freak injury to his knee during a training session and subsequently having to undergo surgery.

In the interim period he has missed the Scottish Cup semi-final and final, plus both legs of the Europa League play-off games against Liverpool, and is desperate to get back to 
first-team action.

However, while he admits that having an extended period on the sidelines has been frustrating, Hamill is determined not to push himself and risk setting his progress back.

It’s a real balancing act for the 26-year-old, who is clearly champing at the bit to be back in John McGlynn’s plans.

Hamill said: “When I first got my operation, I thought that I was never going to get there. The end seemed so far away. But each week, each day, you see a bit of an improvement and now I am hoping to be back around Christmas time, it gives me something to aim for.

“I keep getting stronger and I’m just working as hard as I can to make sure that I am 100 per cent when I am ready to come back.

“I would love to be back playing but there is no point in rushing it. It can be frustrating but you have got to take your time, there’s no point in coming back that bit too quickly because you’ll just put yourself back to square one before you know it. I would rather be out for a couple of weeks extra and come back fully fit than rushing back and not being ready.”