Michael Stewart says he's in talks with Hearts over contract

Published on Thursday 18 March 2010 22:09

HEARTS captain Michael Stewart revealed yesterday he has been in contract talks with the club for the past two months. The midfielder, who is one of a host of Hearts players ruled out of tomorrow's Edinburgh derby because of injury, is also among a group of senior players whose current deals expire in the summer.

• Michael Stewart tussles with Hibs' Bamba. Picture: SNS

"I started speaking to the club a couple of months ago and we're just in the process of trying to negotiate something," Stewart told Hearts TV. "That's the situation as it is at the moment: we're in the middle of talking and we'll see how it pans out."

A torn calf muscle has kept the 29-year-old out of Hearts' last two games, but he hopes to be back for the match against Rangers next Saturday. "It's progressing along quite well," he added. "I can't really do any more than my body will let me. If I do then I'll find myself back at square one, looking at three to four weeks out."

Hearts manager Jim Jefferies will also be without midfielders Ruben Palazuelos, Ian Black and Ryan Wallace, defenders Marius Zaliukas and Ismael Bouzid, and goalkeeper Marian Kello for Saturday's game. Jose Goncalves, Ryan Stevenson and Calum Elliot are doubtful, further decreasing Jefferies' options.

The Tynecastle side also have a number of players who, while now clear of injury, would not normally be regarded as sufficiently match-fit to begin a derby game. They may have to do so, however, if the players in the dubious category fail to make it.

"If the injuries continue they might have to play, so we'll see how they are today," Jefferies said. Andrew Driver, Craig Thomson and Scott Robinson are the three who are making their way back from injury, while winger Arvydas Novikovas has been unable to train because of a virus.

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