Double your money for Hearts stars' wages

HEARTS players have been assured that their unpaid wages will arrive within days, although they may have to wait and accept a payment of two weeks' money this Friday.

UKIO Bankas Investment Group, the financial company in which Hearts' majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov has a controlling interest, failed to transfer players' salaries on Friday, leaving the squad short of a week's money.

The club have promised, however, that salaries will be fully updated by the end of this week. Players are expecting double payment on Friday if the situation has not been rectified before then.

Hearts cited a technical hitch for the failure to pay wages on time and the players have not been unduly concerned about the delay after reassurances from club officials. Captain Christophe Berra pointed out following Saturday's 1-0 victory over Inverness that he and his colleagues had no doubts their money would be forthcoming, joking that greater sums were now due because of the win bonus.

The prospect of receiving two weeks' wages in one will not, therefore, trouble the players provided no further delays arise.

Meanwhile, Mike Tullberg and Bruno Aguiar returned to first-team training at Riccarton yesterday as they stepped up their rehabilitation from troublesome injuries.

Tullberg, the on-loan Reggina striker, ruptured a thigh muscle during Hearts' pre-season tour of Germany while Aguiar has not played since April 2007 due to a combination of ankle and knee problems.

Manager Csaba Laszlo revealed his satisfaction over their return. "That is good news as we have been without them for a while and hopefully they come through without any problems," he said.

Depending on fitness and reaction to training, Tullberg may come into contention for Saturday's SPL match against Dundee United at Tannadice.

Michael Stewart and Christos Karipidis have also shaken off minor knocks and participated in yesterday's full training session.