Hearts boss seeks physio advice on Wallace

Published on Tuesday 1 December 2009 08:50

HEARTS manager Csaba Laszlo was due to consult club physiotherapist Rob Marshall today before deciding on the best course of action for injured defender Lee Wallace, who remains doubtful for Sunday's visit to Hamilton with a swollen ankle.

The 22-year-old was withdrawn at half-time against Kilmarnock on Saturday. Results of a scan on the problem have confirmed no serious damage but Laszlo will speak with medical staff at Riccarton on whether Wallace should resume training or rest for a week or two.

Jose Goncalves is available after suspension and is poised to replace Wallace at left-back after Ruben Palazuelos deputised in defence during the second half at Rugby Park.

Laszlo explained: "I must talk with Rob and then we will decide what is best for Lee; to begin with training or to play without him against Hamilton. Then maybe he could come back for the Dundee United or the Celtic game.

"At the moment we don't have any decision.

"Maybe by the middle of the week we will decide together with the physio and see which direction we must go. We must be careful because you see what has happened with Marius Zaliukas. The season is very long and we have a lot of games to go. We cannot take a risk for one game and then after you have the player out for a long period.

"Jose Goncalves is back in the squad after his ban so we must not play with Ruben in the left-back position. Left-back is a normal position for Jose, he played there against Dinamo Zagreb at home and I am happy with him.

"Jose has shown very good performance and a very good attitude this season. He was unlucky with his red card against St Johnstone. He is a very honest player and useful player for us." Hearts were drawn away to Aberdeen yesterday in the fourth round of the Active Nation Scottish Cup, a tie which Laszlo admits is tougher than he had hoped for.

However, he advised his players to approach the match – which takes place on Saturday, 9 January – in the same manner as October's Co-operative Insurance Cup quarter-final against Celtic in Glasgow, which Hearts won 1-0.

The Hungarian said: "For us it is the first round and you wish maybe to get an easier team and to play at home. But in the Cup you never get the choice. If you like to move forward you must win every game, it is indifferent who is the opponent. Sometimes you have an easy opponent, sometimes you have a heavy opponent.

"We showed against Celtic that we can win away from home against good teams. It is the same situation against Aberdeen and we will go there to win."