Tullberg prepares for Tynecastle return in bid to make impact

BARRY ANDERSON
DANISH striker Mike Tullberg is due to return to Riccarton next week in the hope of finally establishing himself at Hearts following a series of injury problems.
Two ruptured thigh muscles have limited Tullberg to just two appearances since he arrived at Tynecastle on a season-long loan from the Italian club Reggina.

He has twice returned to his native Denmark for rehabilitation while Csaba Laszlo, the Hearts manager, has bemoaned a lack of quality forwards and grown frustrated by Tullberg's recovery time.

The player's latest injury was sustained last October during a sprinting session at Riccarton but, in a conversation with Laszlo this week, he intimated that his recuperation is almost complete.

"For me it is a miracle what happened with Tullberg," said Laszlo. "He should be back next week and I hope he is definitely fit. We gave him the chance to see his own doctors but I did not see any big progress. I spoke with him the other day and he told me he will be back at the end of next week. I hope he will be okay."

Laszlo is also seeking to protect Hearts' Ghanaian midfielder Larry Kingston as he strives to overcome a persistent nerve problem in the thigh. Club officials have given him permission to consult African doctors in an effort to remedy the injury.

"A lot of people ask me about Larry Kingston. I would like to protect him," continued Laszlo. "He needs a little bit of time with his injury. I talked with him this week and I know, if he is 100 per cent fit, he can help the team. Larry needs protection from us and also from the fans maybe. They must understand he is an honest player and he would like to come back into the team but, on the other side, he is not 100 per cent fit. Maybe his physical fitness needs time but even from the bench Larry is an important player because he can score goals."

Taken from the Scotsman