Beni Baningime aims for early Hearts injury return as he reveals chat with Rangers' John Souttar

Beni Baningime is hoping to return for Hearts ahead of schedule.

The midfielder sustained a serious cruciate ligament injury against Livingston in March and was ruled out of top team action until after the World Cup in Qatar. The 23-year-old is determined to shave time off that diagnosis even if it is just one day. The Hearts medical team are working to the six month period but the former Everton admits he is giving the physios a 'heart attack' with his determination to escalate his return from the long-term serious injury.

Liam Boyce had a similar injury to his Hearts team-mate and he returned in a six month time frame which gives Baningime hope and target to aim for. He flew out to Spain and put in the gym work with the rest of the squad but can't wait to get back out on the grass. It's just the midfielder and Craig Halkett who are not fit as pre-season kicks into gear.

He said: “The physios are the most knowledgeable.

"Pete has been out for a long time and Stephen also. Liam had the same injury as me and came back in six months so that’s what I’m going for. The boys have been great trying to help me through.

“We have a plan for after the break, around December or January. If I can take four weeks or three weeks off that – or even just one day – I’ll take it. That’s what we’ve been speaking about.

“The physios are having a heart attack but I’ll just try to get back as quickly as possible. They have to hold me back. I’m getting a bit excited, telling them I’ll be back next week!

“It’s coming on all right. I’ve started doing gym work so I’ll be strengthening my legs for the next six months to get them as strong as possible and then come back. I’m excited.

“Me and Craig Halkett are the only ones not fit but it was