David Obua top gun in Hearts' air force

A STANDOUT feature of Hearts' victory over Falkirk last weekend was the different dimension David Obua brought to the Tynecastle forward line. A player with plenty of detractors amongst his own support, the Ugandan was an effective aerial presence in a two-man attack alongside Gary Glen and is certain to continue in the role on Sunday when Hamilton visit Edinburgh.

Obua's season has been peppered with injuries and sub-standard form and, generally speaking, he has toiled to prove himself since joining Hearts from Kaizer Chiefs of South Africa in August 2008. It could be, however, that he has found a niche under new manager Jim Jefferies.

The 25-year-old will pose Hamilton the same threat he did Falkirk as Jefferies looks to reinforce the forward-thinking approach he has been preaching since replacing Csaba Laszlo last month. Last weekend saw Hearts score three times in a match for the first time this season, with Obua a central figure in attack.

"It has made a difference, especially with the strikers," said defender Jason Thomson of the manager's ethos. "Gary Glen and David played up front together on Saturday and did really well. Last time we scored three goals in a game was May last year, so that breeds confidence throughout the team.

"Gary's back in the team, he needs a lot of confidence but I'm sure he'll do well when he gets it. David can play as a big target man type of guy. He's about 6ft 5in so we can mix it up with him up front. If we have to play it high or long, he's up there to win the ball and get flick-ons. If we play the ball into feet, Gary's in and around him.

"Christian (Nade] is probably better at holding the ball up and getting midfielders in about him. But David can get a flick on for Gary if we have two men up there. We haven't had that two-man forward line much this season so we couldn't go so direct. Sometimes chances have been limited, too. I've said that any of our midfielders can score goals. But if you're playing the same way every single week, teams can figure you out. With a target man you can mix it up and teams don't know what to expect. The manager has said he wants wingers and full-backs more involved in the game, getting forward and putting crosses into the box. If you don't put the ball in there you don't score goals."

Thomson hopes to be one of those figures scarpering up and down the flank on Sunday. He is back in contention after missing the last two matches with a leg injury and is seeking to finally cement his place at first-team level.

As Jefferies contends with a multitude of injury problems, he is likely to slot instantly back into his favoured right-back role. "I just need to stay fit. If I can do that I have a much better chance of staying in the team," he said.

"A lot of folk are still out injured just now so that gives me a chance. I've been here for years trying to establish myself but it still hasn't happened as yet. I've been in and out the team but I want to play every week.

"I played six or seven games in a row and then I took a knock in training. I got kicked by Jose (Goncalves], or rather I kicked him and hurt myself. I missed the Celtic and Falkirk matches but I'm back and looking forward to Sunday.

"Ismael (Bouzid] is still injured and wee Thommo (Craig Thomson] is still injured but it would be hard to change the team after a win. I'll have to wait to see if I'm included.

"The defence has probably been the strongest thing about us this season. We scored three goals against Falkirk but obviously we want to stop letting goals in at the other end."

As well as Bouzid and Craig Thomson, Jefferies is still without the services of Andy Driver, Ruben Palazuelos, Jamie Mole and the banned Michael Stewart. Ian Black is rated doubtful with a knee injury sustained following the Falkirk victory. In addition, striker Calum Elliot's recovery from a long-term knee complaint has slowed due to the bad weather.

"Calum is finding it hard to get somewhere to train at the moment," observed Jason Thomson. "He can't train indoors with his knee and our pitches have been frozen so he needs somewhere to do his work. He hasn't played many games this season so it would be great to get him back involved regularly. I've played with him through all the youth levels and I know what he can do."

Elliot's return to full fitness would be rather timely, for Hearts embark on a sequence of three consecutive away fixtures following the Hamilton encounter. They travel to Pittodrie next Saturday for a 12pm kick-off, then comes a visit to Tannadice to play Dundee United before facing Motherwell at Fir Park.

"We have three away games against Aberdeen, Dundee United and Motherwell after this. Then it's the Edinburgh derby," noted Thomson.

"St Johnstone still have a couple of games in hand and they got a great result against Hibs on Wednesday. Our aim is still top six, then once we're in there we will look to finish as far up the table as possible.

"We need to concentrate on football and look for three points on Sunday. A good result last week helps and we played not too badly against Celtic before that. If we can continue last week into this week we'll be fine."