Banned Hearts star Goncalves misses Edinburgh derby

HEARTS have been dealt a massive blow with the news that Jose Goncalves has been ruled out of the Edinburgh derby against Hibs on 3 January after the defender's booking against Celtic sent him through the disciplinary points barrier.

Goncalves was shown a yellow card by referee Willie Collum during Sunday's 2-1 victory over Tony Mowbray's side after preventing Hoops striker Marc-Antoine Fortune from taking a quick free-kick seven minutes from time.

Goncalves, who will be available for the Boxing Day trip to Falkirk and the home match with Motherwell on 30 December, has been one of the Gorgie side's most consistent performers this season and has featured in 15 of the 16 SPL matches the Tynecastle side have played so far.

However, he has been booked four times in that period and also received a red card in the 2-1 defeat to St Johnstone last month.

Marius Zaliukas came on as a second-half substitute on Sunday, replacing goalscorer Ismael Bouzid, and it is likely he will take his place in the starting line-up at Easter Road next weekend.

Meanwhile, Charlton striker Izale McLeod has flown into Scotland to train with Hearts today with a view to completing a loan move.

The 25-year-old arrived in the Capital yesterday to have a look at Hearts' facilities and was expected to join the rest of the players in a training session before opening talks with Csaba Laszlo and club officials over a switch north of the Border.

Hearts had expressed an interest in the player during the last transfer window but could not reach an agreement with Charlton over a price.

If he does agree a move to Hearts, the former England Under-21 international could make his debut in the game against Hibs.

The player's representative Tony Finnigan said: "They are talking about a loan with a possible review. I am just waiting for him to give me a call to decide.

"He will possibly train with them today and then come back down, but who knows what could happen.

"What I said to the lad was 'go up there'.

"I have lived in Edinburgh so I know what it is like, it's a nice city."

Phil Parkinson, the Charlton manager, is willing to let McLeod go out on loan after he made just six starts in League One so far this season, scoring three goals.