Hearts: A good col for Marius Zaliukas

THE long-running stand-off between Hearts and Marius Zaliukas could be nearing a successful resolution, with Jim Jefferies revealing that John Colquhoun, the Lithuanian's new agent, has convinced the player to lower his wage demands.

The two parties are understood to be close to an agreement and Zaliukas's teammate Adrian Mrowiec let slip to media that he expects the banished club captain to return for today's trip to Aberdeen.

Jefferies was less committal on the issue, but is clearly more confident of the player agreeing a new contract after he recently took on former Hearts player Colquhoun as his advisor in an effort to smooth things out. The manager also revealed that Zaliukas would be fit enough to be thrown straight back into the side for today's trip north if the matter is resolved in time.

"Adrian must know something I don't because I've not heard that he's available yet," he said after the Pole inadvertently let the cat out the bag. "I think Adrian was just assuming that because he was at training on Thursday and had a good session. I know there's been further talks but I'll just wait until I hear when it's all sorted.

"Hopefully it's sorted out this week or next – the quicker the better as far as I'm concerned. John Colquhoun's been keeping me in the picture with how the talks are going. John's been good for Marius. It seems like Marius has obviously had some figures put to him about what he's worth, but John's told him that this is the real world and it's helped him into a better negotiating position with the club. I don't think he had anyone acting for him before, he's been on his own so he's asked for John's advice and he seems to be handling it well. It's now up to the owners and John and Marius to get it sorted out. I don't get involved in that side of things – I just wait to hear whether the deal's been agreed.

"If we get the go-ahead to play him I wouldn't have any worries about his fitness as he's been training fine and keeping his fitness up."

Hearts will miss David Obua through injury today, while Ian Black is a doubt after breaking bones in his hand. Aberdeen, meanwhile, hope to have Paul Hartley back after injury, while Andrius Velicka, another former Hearts player, is in contention for his Dons debut.