Jose's way back to Hearts

PORTUGUESE defender Jose Goncalves is on schedule for a reserve comeback with Hearts on October 17 and head coach Valdas Ivanauskas believes he could return to the first team by the middle of next month.

The 21-year-old was last seen in a maroon shirt almost six months ago, aggravating a hip injury in a 2-0 victory over Kilmarnock during the latter part of last season.

The injury required surgery in Germany during the summer and Goncalves also had an operation on his toes before returning to Edinburgh last month.

With his rehabilitation period almost complete and fitness levels on the increase, Ivanauskas and his assistant John McGlynn have pencilled the player in for the reserve visit to Dundee United in less than two weeks time.

"Goncalves is programmed to play in that game, that's the one we're pinpointing for him," said McGlynn.

"If we get him through that and the rustiness that he is obviously going to have then we can determine whether he becomes available for the first team or whether he needs two or three reserve games to get up to speed. He hasn't played any football for a long time but he's quite a fit lad generally so it might not take him long to get back in the game."

Ivanauskas added: "I have spoken with our physios, Andy Caldwell and Saul Antanavicius, and they believe Jose will be ready to play by the middle of November."

No fresh injuries were suffered in Sunday's resounding victory over Dundee United and the Hearts players who are not pre-occupied by international commitments will resume training at Riccarton tomorrow after a four-day break

Czech striker Michal Pospisil is returning to first-team training and could come into contention for the Edinburgh derby at Easter Road on Sunday week.

He has been out since the defeat by Rangers on August 19 with a leg injury and is expected to play in next Tuesday's reserve match with Aberdeen at Forthbank Stadium.

"Michal will return to first-team training tomorrow and increase his fitness from there," said Ivanauskas.

"The international break gives us a chance to get people back in contention for the Hibs match. It is a nice headache to have because the more options we have the better it is for the club."

McGlynn confirmed that Icelandic striker Hjalmar Thorarinsson has joined former Hearts manager Craig Levein at Raith Rovers on loan until January.

"Because the SFL rules are slightly different to the SPL in terms of transfers, Hjalmar is allowed to go to Raith outwith the transfer windows," said McGlynn. "We can't get him back until January, though."

A goal from in-form teenager Jamie Mole secured a 1-0 victory for a young Hearts reserve side against Motherwell yesterday.

The striker scored just before the hour to follow on from his first-team strike against Dundee United at the weekend and hand the reserves their second victory of the season.

Sean Mackle progressed down the left flank to deliver a low cross that was cutely dispatched by Mole from close range.

On-loan Lithuanian midfielder Kestutis Ivaskevicius also played in the match at Forthbank.

Taken from the Scotsman