Hearts star Bruno Aguiar has targeted a return to first-team action this season after featuring for the reserves this afternoon.

The Portuguese midfielder has been sidelined for a year by a serious ankle injury but saw his long fitness battle rewarded with his second-half appearance from the bench at Forthbank Stadium.

Bruno played for the last 25 minutes of the second string's 3-1 defeat to Dundee United and while disappointed at the result, the former Benfica ace couldn't disguise his delight at being back in the thick of the action.

He said: "I was delighted to get 25 minutes this afternoon. I am very happy to be back playing as I have been out for a very long time, almost a year.

"It was a bad time for me but I always believed I would get back playing and now I just want more games.

"The target is to get back into the first team this season but I will have to wait and see what happens."

With just four games left of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League season, Bruno knows time is running out for him to achieve his goal. But he is determined to give it his best shot.

"Today's reserve game was a disappointment as we lost 3-1 but on a personal note it was obviously pleasing to be back involved," he said.

"My aim is to play for the first team if at all possible this season, get a good summer behind me and come back strong for the start of the new campaign."

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