Bouzid set for Hearts return after suspension

ISMAEL BOUZID is expected to return to the Hearts team after suspension against Hamilton on Saturday as manager Jim Jefferies attempts to combat the aerial threat posed by the Lanarkshire club's array of 6ft-plus forwards. The Portuguese brothers, Flavio and Marco Paixao, plus Frenchman Joel Thomas all cut imposing figures in attack for Hamilton as they stand over 6ft tall.

At set-pieces, they are ably backed up by the similarly domineering Jack Ross, Gary McDonald and Martin Canning.

Jefferies is concerned about any height advantage having watched Hearts lose an equaliser to a poorly defended cross ball against St Johnstone last weekend.

He is determined there should be no repeat and is preparing to reinstate Bouzid alongside Marius Zaliukas – both 6ft 3in – in central defence.

"Bouzid is available, which is handy because Hamilton have a bit of height in their team," he said today. "It's good that he's free of suspension and I'm sure he'll be raring to go. The good thing for me is that we've got strength in depth for when people are out injured or suspended.

"We played against a decent side in St Johnstone despite being without plenty bodies and we were the better side.

"Now we have competition for places so, when everybody is fit, those who are in the team need to do well to stay in it. It's a nice problem to have as a manager."

Hearts are considering making a contract offer for the Cameroon trialist Jonathan Toto after he scored both goals in Tuesday night's 2-0 friendly win over East Fife.

Teenager Scott Robinson will not be in Jefferies' plans, however. He will begin the season with Hearts' under-19 squad and aim to establish himself as an attacking midfielder rather than a striker.

"I had a chat with him," explained Jefferies. "I think he was pushed up into the centre-forward role last season but he prefers midfield.

"He's been spending a lot of time playing in midfield for our select teams in friendlies this summer. That gets him back into it because his preference is to play there.

"He'll have a few games there for the under-19s and we'll have a look at him. He's still a very young kid so, because he still qualifies for the 19s, he can play there and we can use him if we need him. Right now we're bringing Stephen Elliott and Kevin Kyle into the team so he wants to concentrate on playing in midfield."

Hearts Under-19s begin their campaign in the SPL youth league this Saturday, when St Mirren visit Riccarton for an 11.00am kick-off.