Injured defender Jose Goncalves is targeting a first-team return against Rangers, he revealed today.

As Hearts News reported last week, the former Portugal U21 star is currently in Germany undergoing specialist treatment as he bids to recover from a pulled thigh muscle suffered in training last week.

He was forced to sit out the Active Nation Scottish Cup defeat at Aberdeen on Saturday and will also be sidelined when St Mirren visit Tynecastle this weekend.

However, with the player reporting excellent progress in his recovery after a course of injections from top sports medicine specialist Dr Dirk Tenner in Leverkusen, he is hopeful of being available for the trip to Ibrox.

Speaking exclusively to Hearts News Today from Germany, Jose said: "I have had two injections already and am due to get one more at the weekend.

"I am feeling much better now and the plan is to be back in training next week after I get back. Hopefully I will be okay for Rangers.

"The treatment is certainly working. I have known Dr Tenner for a few years having worked with him before. If I have a problem, I know he can fix it."

Jose's last outing for Hearts was in the 1-0 victory over Motherwell at Tynecastle on December 30.

On Hearts.TV today, an exclusive interview with David Obua plus catch the best of the action from Pittodrie.

Hearts Text Alert subscribers learnt this news first! Text CLUB HEARTS to 88442 now! Click here for full details.