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NEILSON SETS CHRISTMAS TARGET
Neilson - targets early return.
Robbie Neilson is hoping to be back in a Hearts shirt "well before Christmas" as he steps up his rehabilitation from ankle surgery.
The full-back, who has already been sidelined for more than six months, resumed jogging this week and is hoping to get the thumbs up to return to full training within a fortnight.
Neilson is due to visit a consultant for a decision on that front, but the 28-year-old is already looking further ahead to a first-team return.
"I'd like to be back well before Christmas," he told Hearts.TV.
"Hopefully, I'll get the all-clear in 10 days' time and I can get back into full training.
"I haven't played for a while so I need to get a few reserve games before I hopefully start pushing for a first-team game."
Neilson has yet to play under new manager Csaba Laszlo and he feels slightly cut off from the rest of the squad.
"Obviously, when a a new manager comes in, it makes it more difficult because he gets his team together and you don't feel as if you're part of the team," he said.
"But that's part and parcel of football and you have to make sure you work hard and get yourself back to 100% fit and hopefully get in his plans at some point."
The club's longest-serving player expects missing Hearts' next match - the Edinburgh derby against Hibernian on Sunday week - will be particularly frustrating.
"It's going to be difficult for me to go and watch it," said Neilson, who moved to Tynecastle almost 12 years ago.
"It's one of those games everyone wants to be involved in. It's probably the highlight of the season for us so far."
Hearts have lost their last two Clydesdale Bank Premier League games but Neilson backed them to bounce back at Easter Road.
"On our day, we're definitely a match for most teams and we'd like to think we can go down there and take the three points," he said.
"Form kind of goes out the window when you go into the derby games.
"If we do win, it can push us on and give us a bit of confidence for the rest of the campaign."
Another game Neilson will be watching closely is Scotland's World Cup qualifier against Norway tomorrow.
The full-back would love to add to the solitary cap he earned against Ukraine two years ago tomorrow.
"Everyone wants to be involved in the Scotland team. I'm never going to be somebody who's going to retire from squads, like some players do," he said.
"I like to think if I can get playing and playing well, I've got a chance of getting back in the team.
"But first and foremost, it's getting back in the Hearts team for me. It's not a case of looking beyond that.
"If that comes eventually then so be it."
Meanwhile, striker Juho Makela is planning "serious conversations" with Laszlo if his bit-part role at Tynecastle continues.
The Finn, who has been restricted to just two substitute outings this season, told the Edinburgh Evening News:
"I've been on the bench and I'm happy that I'm involved in everything with the first team now. But I'm not happy because I'm not on the pitch.
"If it continues like this, of course we need to have more serious conversations. I will speak to the manager."
Laszlo, who will watch the Scotland game at Hampden on Saturday before heading to Gleneagles for a two-day SPL elite coaching forum, said: "I think Juho is professional and he understands what I want. I don't want so many things, only goals."
