Portuguese defender Jose Goncalves last night declared himself revitalised after a loan spell to newly promoted Bundesliga1 side Nuremberg.

The former FC Thun defender is now firmly focused on the challenge ahead at Hearts and he knows central defence is an area manager Csaba Laszlo is keen to strengthen.

Talking to the media here in Germany before last night's 2-1 victory against Goslar, Jose made it clear he was confident he could adapt his game to the role vacated by former captain Christophe Berra and most recently Christos Karipidis.

"Of course, I can manage that," he said. "And the manager has to make some choices.

"The manager must see the best choice for everyone. I think it is the position I will play."

Reflecting on his time in German football, Jose knows it's added to his overall game.

"I went away for just one year on loan and anything can happen but I was happy to come back," he said.

"It was a very good experience. We got promoted at the end although we had not had a good start to the season. Everything was good there."

Now focused on Hearts, Jose knows he'll be part of a team that will be built on hard work as much as the recognised togetherness that helped Hearts reach Europe League competition this season.

"After everything that has happened here at Hearts, they have done very well," he added.

"We have started the season and everyone is looking very happy and I am very happy to be here to be part of the Europa League and I am looking forward to the season.

"We have to work hard as hard as last season and we can achieve success in all the competitions.

"A lot of things have changed but I know almost everyone here except the manager and some staff. But I am happy to be working under Laszlo because I have heard a lot of things about him."

Jose will miss two former teammates who he sees as providing good examples of the prospects for players that do well for Hearts.

"I was always watching on the internet on the Hearts site how Hearts were doing and talking with Bruno who was my best friend here. Everything can happen.

"I am very happy for him that he can move on after doing well and also for Karipidis and I hope I can do the same.

"I would obviously be happy if they were staying but I have a lot of friends here in the team. I missed the teammates and I had a great time here before and I was missing that."

On Hearts.TV today - Watch interviews with Jose Goncalves and Ian Black!