HEARTS will have their squad reinforced to the tune of five players before the end of the month as injuries continue to heal on the training fields of Riccarton.

Edgaras Jankauskas, Roman Bednar, Neil McCann, Samuel Camazzola and Nerijus Barasa are all nearing full recovery from their various ailments with head coach Graham Rix preparing to ease each player back into the first-team fold as February progresses.

Bednar's reappearance in a maroon shirt is likely to rouse the Tynecastle support the most given his cult-hero status at the club, and the return of Jankauskas, who formed an extremely productive partnership with Bednar in the opening weeks of the season before injuring a hamstring last month, is an added dividend for Rix.

"Bednar is getting better every day and is working with the ball now," enthused Rix today of the forward who has had a persistent knee problem. "We were a little concerned about him but it's not been as bad as we thought. There are certain aspects of the training which still give him trouble but hopefully he can overcome that and be ready in a couple of weeks.

"The same goes for Jankauskas, who is also kicking the ball. We expected him to be out for two months but I would hope to have both him and Bednar back around the same time. Despite all the new players we've brought in recently I would say that getting Bednar and Jankauskas back would be like getting another two new signings."

McCann is expected to be first of the five to return after sustaining ligament damage just 24 minutes into his second debut for Hearts at Kilmarnock in January. The Scotland winger stepped up the recovery process yesterday by working with the ball for the first time since his injury.

Rix continued: "McCann should be available fairly soon. He is making rapid progress and has been out doing a bit of ball work already. He is only around a week to two weeks away."

Camazzola has played only once under Rix, as a substitute in the 0-0 draw with Inverness on December 10, whilst Barasa impressed coming off the bench against Dunfermline and Kilmarnock last month before damaging a hamstring.

"Sammy is jogging with the other boys now, which is good news," said Rix. "He had a bit of a hot spot on his foot which turned out to be a stress fracture and although he isn't at the stage where he is kicking a ball yet, we are hopeful he will be soon. Nerijus should also be back inside the next three weeks."

Rix was contented by the availability of winger Mirsad Beslija for tonight's trip to face Dundee United at Tannadice after the Bosnian injured his knee against Aberdeen on Saturday.

"He's okay and has a chance for tonight, which is a big boost for us," added Rix.

"Jose Goncalves has a slight problem with his groin but Takis Fyssas and Rudi Skacel have trained and are feeling much better after flu. And we have Paul Hartley available after suspension. I sense that the guys are focused and we are building up a little momentum now.

"We know we must win tonight to keep that going."

Taken from the Scotsman