John Souttar is closing in on a Hearts comeback

The Scotland defender will not start Sunday's Scottish Cup tie against Livingston at Tynecastle Park but could be included manager Craig Levein's matchday squad.

Sign up to our daily newsletter The i newsletter cut through the noise Sign up Thanks for signing up! Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting...

He has not played since October due to a hip operation and is now close to resuming competitive action. Hearts are keen not to rush him back as he will be a key player throughout the second half of the season.

Souttar, 22, stayed in Edinburgh to complete the final phase of his rehabilitation last week while the first team headed for a winter training camp in Spain.