Zahra was put through an intensive session of fitness testing and a pitch session with Aloisi’s youth squad on Wednesday at the club’s Latrobe University base.

And while the 21-year-old former Melbourne Knight looked sharp, he’s still a way off making his long-awaited return to the A-League.

“I don’t think he’s too far off," said Aloisi."I think within the next month he’ll start to get minutes in the youth team and hopefully do well there.

“I think maybe 2012 for him to be looked at for the first team.”

The red and whites are the only winless side in the A-League and as such Zahra’s return can’t come soon enough for Heart who are desperate to find a regular goal-scorer.

The Heart man had been tipped for an earlier return to full fitness after a horror tackle in the Melbourne derby a year ago ended his season.

A return for this season's round three Melbourne derby had been mooted but clearly the talented attacker needs more time to recover from his leg injury.

Aloisi praised the spirit of the former Fawkner and Melbourne Knights flyer who has endured a challenging time regaining full fitness.

“It’s been difficult for him, like anyone who has a major injury like that," he said. "He’s had his ups and downs but he’s worked hard and he’s a good kid and we all want him to do well.”

As for his youth team and the first year coach explained that the main goal is development and improving players.

Aloisi said this meant teaching the players aspects that they may not have learnt before, such as such as various areas of tactical awareness and transitions.

“Also how to receive the ball, where to receive it, especially as our system is probably a bit different to what they probably have played in, say, the VPL,” Aloisi said.

“Transitioning is a big one.Players seem to switch off when they have the ball. They actually think we have the ball so we don’t need to be thinking about our defensive duties.

"And that’s really when you need to be thinking about it more so.

He added: “I'm getting the message across about being switched on defensively when we have the ball and makes sure if you lose it, we want you to win it back straight away.

“If you’re in a good position, it’s easier to win it back. This training game we just played today was big on transitioning. If you lose the ball, win it back straight away.”

Aloisi said that communication on the pitch was an area that youth players in general don’t do enough of compared to senior pros.

He added: “But they’re getting the idea. The level is a bit of a jump when we play on the weekends because we play against at least four or five first -teamers.

“Adelaide United for instance had six first team squad members [in their NYL side].”

Heart play the Jets this Sunday with a 3pm kick-off at John Cain Memorial Park, Thornbury.

Follow me on Twitter @Aidothejourno