Hearts star Bouzid all set to begin full training again

ISMAEL BOUZID will resume full training with Hearts this week and could begin his comeback from a double hamstring injury by facing Motherwell in a closed-door friendly at Riccarton tomorrow.

The Algerian internationalist centre-back has spent the last two months sidelined with damaged hamstrings but is now able to accelerate his rehabilitation.

He will rejoin the first-team squad at training, with manager Jim Jefferies keen to involve him in part of tomorrow's match to assess his progress.

"Bouzid will be back in training with us. He's on the mend and, if the physio agrees, I'd like to play him at least in part of this game tomorrow," said Jefferies today. "Even 20 minutes or half an hour just to test him, but it might be too early so we will discuss it.

"It's a big plus to have him on the way back but, whenever he is available, there is going to be good competition.

"We now have Marius Zaliukas back and Eggert Jonsson playing well at centre-back.

"The closed-door game will let us get a few boys involved to improve their match fitness.

"Craig Thomson might play, David Templeton could get another game, plus others like Gordon Smith and Scott Robinson."

Jason Thomson will be assessed by Hearts medical staff today after twisting his knee during Saturday's 4-1 defeat to Rangers.

"He just felt he couldn't continue but Craig Thomson went on in his place and did well and we will see how Jason is later today," said Jefferies.

Andy Driver was precluded from Saturday's match due to a recurrence of tendonitis in his knee, whilst Michael Stewart's calf complaint is not yet fully healed.