Elliot in squad for Fir Park after impressing Laszlo

Published on Tuesday 6 January 2009 08:58

CALUM ELLIOT returns to the Hearts squad against Motherwell tomorrow night and is poised to play his first competitive match under Csaba Laszlo following a successful loan period at Livingston.

Laszlo is impressed with the striker's 11-goal return from 14 games in the First Division and has immediately reinstated him in the hope of according Hearts a cutting edge in attack.

"Calum came back yesterday and this is a new opportunity for him," said the manager. "He showed his talent in the First Division and scored 11 goals there. It was my intention to take him back and hopefully the form he showed at Livingston he can show for us.

"If you look at the games against Dundee United and Hibernian, we lost four points. If we had more luck with scoring, we would have four points more in the league.

"I am not unsatisfied with the team's performance, I am more unsatisfied that we don't have the killer instinct. This is something we must work on."

Elliot was hopeful of renewing his loan agreement and returning to Almondvale but must endeavour to maximise his opportunities at Hearts until further notice. Jason Thomson is precluded from the trip to Fir Park after suffering concussion against Hibernian on Saturday but Marius Zaliukas and Lee Wallace return from suspension.

Laszlo will take a late decision on the fitness of Greek defender Christos Karipidis, who sustained an ankle injury against Hibs and left Tynecastle on crutches after the match. He was rated doubtful this morning but should be available for Sunday's Scottish Cup fourth round tie at Easter Road.

"We will look at Karipidis but maybe he will not be available," said Laszlo. "If he does not play at Motherwell he will definitely be ready for Sunday."