Diamond's move to Hearts in jeopardy

ZANDER DIAMOND'S move to Hearts is in jeopardy due to an ankle problem discovered during the player's pre-contract medical examination. The defender must now await the outcome of discussions between Jim Jefferies, the Hearts manager, and club medical staff to learn whether his transfer to Tynecastle can proceed.

The ankle problem stems from an injury dating back two years and Hearts are determined that the three-year contract proposed to Diamond will only be signed once they are fully satisfied. The deal remains in the balance and could even be renegotiated depending on the opinion of the Hearts medics and the club hierarchy in Lithuania.

Diamond, out of contract at Aberdeen, is also due to go on holiday imminently and is eager to know where he will be playing football next season. "We won't know the full position until we sit down for discussions with the medical people," said Jefferies.

"Once we're in possession of all the information we'll be better placed to know if we can take the deal forward."

Despite already signing John Sutton, Jamie Hamill and Danny Grainger, Hearts have further plans to utilise the transfer market this summer. "We have taken great advantage of the freedom of contract," continued Jefferies.

"We had discussions prior to the end of the season and it's like everything else, it takes a bit of time with the negotiations." Meanwhile, Hearts striker Calum Elliot has begun the slow road to recover after knee surgery. He still faces six months of rehabilitation and has been spending up to eight hours a day on a machine specially designed to heal the injury.

Elliot had an operation in March to remove a cyst and loose bone from the knee. Doctors also inserted tiny fractures to help grow new cartilage around it.

"I just want to be pain-free again so I can focus on my football," said the player. "This operation was something that had to be done - rest wasn't going to cure it.

"The first time my knee was operated on two years ago I had a lot of my cartilage removed and a big piece of my meniscus taken away. That caused deterioration and then there was the cyst and floating bone to be dealt with as well.

"So basically they have removed that and then put in tiny fractures in the knee to try and grow a new cartilage.

"Only time will tell how well it will work. But there are already a lot of things I can do with my leg I couldn't before - like bend it!"