Zaliukas' Hearts career in the balance

The Tynecastle captain has requested more than 20,000 a week before tax to sign a permanent contract, with his loan from FBK Kaunas due to expire in December.

The thought of paying Zaliukas a salary in excess of 1million per year has irked Vladimir Romanov, Hearts' majority shareholder, and his directors. Manager Jefferies explained that club and player are "miles apart" in their negotiations and there is a chance that the Lithuanian will not return to Edinburgh.

Should he sever ties with the club where he has played on loan from Kaunas since August 2006, Lee Wallace will be appointed captain.

"Marius went back to Lithuania to negotiate terms but I believe they're miles apart. He's after quite a considerable amount which is way beyond our means," Jefferies told the Evening News. "I'll get a chance to speak to Sergey (Fedotovas, director] over the next couple of days, Marius is busy with the Lithuanian squad preparing for tomorrow's game."

Jefferies handed Zaliukas the captaincy only a matter of weeks ago after a frank discussion with the player in which he assured his manager that he was happy at Tynecastle. Club officials now suspect he has changed stance and made the exorbitant wage request knowing it would lead to a parting of the ways.

"He said he was happy here. He said if he could get the deal he was looking for, he'd be happy to stay," said Jefferies. "But there's a big difference between what he's looking for and what teams can afford, that seems to be what's holding it up.

"He might feel that he's out of contract and this is a chance for him to exercise his right to move on. He's maybe thinking he's at a stage in his career where he might attract a huge offer, so to keep him here it would take a huge offer, money that is way out of our hands.

"Sometimes players don't want to stay and they can maybe ask for quite a lot more knowing they've got no chance of getting it. I'm a bit in limbo with it at the moment. The negotiations are still ongoing and I haven't been told of any final decision on either side."

Jefferies revealed that he has earmarked Wallace to succeed Zaliukas if the contract dispute cannot be resolved. Eggert Jonsson would then assume the vice-captain's role.

"I appointed Lee Wallace vice-captain so if something happens with Marius and he has to move on, then Lee will step in. It would then be a case of Eggert Jonsson stepping up to replace Lee as vice-captain. But we can't jump too far ahead until we know what's happening with Marius."

Meanwhile, David Obua has flown to Uganda for Saturday's African Nations Cup qualifier against Angola despite playing only 14 minutes of football for Hearts this season. "His manager, Jim Jefferies, believes he's not fully fit but Obua says he is and wants to play," said Bobby Williamson, the Uganda coach.

Elsewhere, ex-Hearts player Larry Kingston has joined Dutch club Vitesse Arnhem.