Liam Boyce hands Hearts injury boost Steven Naismith eyes return for key striker

Hearts boss Steven Naismith has revealed that Liam Boyce is making good progress on his injury comeback trail, and is hopeful that the striker will feature for the Jambos again before the end of the season.

Boyce who has netted 36 goals in 107 matches since his arrival in Gorgie in January 2020, has been on the treatment table since limping off in the 1-0 win away to Kilmarnock on December 2nd. But in an interview with the Edinburgh Evening News, Hearts gaffer Naismith has confirmed that the 32-year-old is in the next stage of his recovery and that they aim to have him back in the side before the season comes to a close if he can stay clear of any potential setbacks.

Naismith said: "Yeah, I think there's a chance that he will be back. He is progressing well and he's now back out on the grass. He is just building up but since he's back running then I would expect him to be back before the end of the season.

"I know Boycie hasn't played lots of football this season but he is valuable to us as a squad. He had the injury last season and worked really hard to come back. The stop-start nature of this injury has been frustrating. I think we just need to manage him better when he is back because I think he can have a lot of value.

"We have seen that in the game he has played this season with his contribution and what he brings to the team. We need to make sure he is right every weekend rather than pushing him to the limits."

The Northern Ireland international, who has scored once in 20 appearances in all competitions this season prior to his injury, is contracted in the capital until the summer of 2025.