Jambos wait on Zaliukas

Posted Wednesday, September 23, 2009 by PA

Marius Zaliukas faces a fitness test ahead of Hearts' Co-operative Insurance Cup third-round tie against Dunfermline.

Lithuania defender Zaliukas lasted only 37 minutes of Sunday's Clydesdale Bank Premier League defeat at Celtic after suffering a leg injury and although he reported he was "okay" on Tuesday morning, he may have to wait until Saturday's game with Hamilton to return.

Goalkeeper Marian Kello should be back on the bench after missing the trip to Parkhead with a knock, David Templeton (foot) has resumed training but will not feature, while Callum Elliot (knee) and Eggert Jonsson (hernia) are still recovering from surgery.

Csaba Laszlo told Laryea Kingston he still has a future at Hearts but that he is running out of chances to rescue his Tynecastle career.

Midfielder Kingston's days at the club looked numbered last week when he was hit with the maximum fine of four weeks' wages for an astonishing attack on Laszlo during last month's trip to St Johnstone.

But the Jambos boss insists he would have no problem picking the 28-year-old again if he gets himself 100% fit from the persistent knee problem which Laszlo believes is making him impossible to select.

The Hearts manager was furious earlier this month when Kingston declared he would always put his country before his club after playing twice for Ghana, despite being declared injured by Tynecastle medics.

Laszlo today warned Kingston his own national side would not continue to pick a someone who was not playing first-team football.

He also dangled the carrot of a new contract should the midfielder get back to his best before his current deal expires next summer.

"The player must also think about his future," Laszlo said.

"You have the possibility to get a new contract.

"If you have performance, the acceptance will be there from other people, also from other clubs, maybe also from Heart of Midlothian.

"If you don't play football, who will take you to Ghana and to the World Cup? Nobody.

"You only have one choice: do what you love - and this is football. Go down and take my hand, if I give my hand, and take the protection that I give.

"Always, you have two choices. But you don't always have the chance.

"Maybe you have the chance only one or two times."

Player-manager Jim McIntyre is hoping Dunfermline can find their form again.

The Pars made a bright start to the season but have now lost their last three First Division fixtures, all without scoring.

McIntyre, still missing as he recovers from an Achilles injury, said: "We watched Hearts against Celtic on Sunday and they did very well. But we'll go there and give it our all.

"They've got some good experienced players and are a big, powerful side. But we'll look to play our game and hopefully that'll be good enough.

"We're not expected to win so the pressure's off and I'm looking for us to take the opportunity to show that we are a good side."

Dunfermline will also be without the experienced trio of Steven Bell (ankle ligaments), David Graham and Stephen Glass through injury.