Calem Nieuwenhof recently described Cammy Devlin as a "real dog". It was clear what he was saying about his Aussie compatriot and fellow Heart of Midlothian midfielder. Willing, eager to please, full of energy and will snap at the ankles of opponents. 

He's a nightmare to play against but an individual whose teammates love having by their side. Now, tell that player he can't do what he loves for nearly three months and there is going to be frustration. 

"I hated it, to be honest," was the completely understandable take from Devlin.

READ MORE: Cammy Devlin Q&A: What he has noticed about Hearts, FOMO, hating being injured

"You have got to work hard in the gym and that has been what I have been doing for the past three months and there is no feeling like being on the grass running about with your mates and getting three points, no feeling like it.

"Being injured, there's no good time for it. Your job every day is to rock up at training and work as hard as you can. The best time of the week is Saturday when you get to be in front of a crowd and practice what you have been doing in training. To miss out on that has been really tough, to be honest. There's no sugar-coating it, it's been really tough at times."

Devlin admitted it would have been worse if the team were faring poorly. That would have led to increased frustration at not being able to help and desperation to get back fit to lend a hand.

Yet, at the same time, he has missed what would have been a hugely fulfilling three-month period on an individual level. Hearts have been flying in the league and he could have had the opportunity to represent his country at the Asian Cup alongside teammates Kye Rowles and Nathaniel Atkinson. But anyone could see that Devlin isn't the type to pretend the tournament wasn't happening. Not only is he a proud Aussie but he wanted to watch his pals in action.

He said: "Any game I miss I am devastated but to miss three-odd months and the Asian Cup, that was something I had as one of my goals for the year so to not even be in contention for that because of injury was devastating. Natty and Kye did really well when they went over there and were really unlucky not to go further.

"Good things happen to good people so if you wish people well which I do, your time will come. I watched as much as I could and I think they did really well and were unlucky not to get further.

"It hasn't been fun but it gives you extra motivation to work as hard as you possibly can in the gym and I pride myself on hard work so that is what I have been doing and coming back in, it takes some time to get match fit. The past seven, eight days of training I have been putting my head down working as hard as I can and I feel I have trained really well. Hopefully, that leads to more and more minutes."

READ MORE: Hearts 2-0 Motherwell: Impact of formation change made clear

The time on the sidelines has been used productively. Not one to sulk in the background and bring the atmosphere down, Devlin has been a cheerleader and hype man, before and after matches, talking to and celebrating with his colleagues.

In addition, he has been keen to focus on the details of what Steven Naismith and his coaching staff want from the midfield.

"You can go one of two ways, sit and sulk and feel sorry for yourself, especially watching - it can be really negative on you," he said. "At tough times you need to show resilience and be the bigger person. Be there for your mates, support your mates because it is a team game and I’m big on that, being happy for everyone.

"When it comes to you doing your work, work as hard as you can. When you are watching the games, taking a back seat, you can pick up little things and look at what the coaching staff are wanting and that’s what I did, learn new things."

READ MORE: The evolution of Cammy Devlin: Stats, positive signs, coach insight

Devlin will be a key player for the run-in, adding even more strength to the midfield depth. Naismith has spoken of the player's box-to-box qualities. He will, of course, have to compete with a fellow Aussie for a starting berth with Calem Nieuwenhof's influence growing and growing. And no one could be happier for his progress than Devlin.

"I’m buzzing for him, he is a great kid," he said. "Over the past few weeks he has come out of his shell and shown what he can do, he is a great player and we all know that. I’ve played against him for years back home and I hope he can kick on now."