Striker Christian Nade today vowed to do all he can to be fit for the start of Hearts' new season.

The powerful front man is recovering from a hernia operation carried out at the end of the Jambos' successful European campaign.

Although the former Sheffield United forward will be confined to the gymnasium when his team-mates take to the training ground at Riccarton later this week for the start of their pre-season programme, he is determined to be fit for action when boss Csaba Laszlo takes his team to Tannadice to face Dundee United in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League opener on August 15.

Speaking to Hearts News from Paris shortly before leaving for Edinburgh today, Christian said: "I had the operation about a week after the season finished. I knew I had to get it done and everything went well.

"The focus is now on being fit for the start of the new season. I have been doing my rehab while back in France and I'll continue with it when I get back to the Academy.

"I want to get back as soon a possible. I have been consulting doctors in France throughout and I'll be working hard with the physios at the club this week after I return.

"The first game of the season is my target and if everything goes well, hopefully I will be okay for then."

Christian, who won't feature in any of the warm-up matches in Germany next week, added: "I have got my exercise schedule to do and I'm working a lot on the bike and building things up from there.

"I want to play as many games as I can for Hearts and I'll be doing everything I can get myself fit a quickly as possible."

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