Hearts boss has one eye on next season

The manager intends to rest midfielders Ian Black, Ryan Stevenson and Suso for the final fixture of the season to avoid the possibility of them incurring a caution as they all sit on the threshold of a domestic suspension, which would take place next season.

Ruben Palazuelos is already precluded having undergone surgery to remove a cyst from his knee on Thursday. That leaves gaping holes all across the Hearts midfield and should prompt the reinstatement of Larry Kingston and teenager Craig Thomson, who is expected to start wide on the right.

"Craig has been a bit unlucky," said Jefferies. "We put him in for a couple of games but he's just back from a (knee] injury and I just wanted to have a wee look at him. He's one who is very much in my thoughts for tomorrow."

David Obua could start the match in attack despite the death of his father during the week. The Ugandan missed Wednesday night's 0-0 draw with Dundee United through suspension as Hearts' European hopes all but ended. "He's here. I'm going to have a chat with him but he'll be here," continued Jefferies.

"United have two of the best defenders in the league but Obua has that spring to get up and win a few balls in the air. The emphasis wasn't on high balls, we wanted it passed in and around about them. We just couldn't get that final ball but credit to Dundee United, they defended well."

Eggert Jonsson and Lee Wallace are harbouring minor injuries but both are expected to play in a match which would only see Hearts move into the SPL's last remaining Europa League spot provided there was an 11-goal swing between the result of their match and the one involving Dundee United and Hibernian.

"It's mathematically possible, isn't it?" smiled Jefferies. "As you saw from the (Motherwell-Hibs] result the other night, anything is possible but it looks a tall order. It's not meaningless because we've got things to consider.

"I'd made a comment that it lets me try one or two things but you can't just go and make wholesale changes. There are reasons for that. We are already without a couple of players for the start of next season through bookings the other night. If I add to that list there are three players who possibly could be banned as well. Ian Black could serve a three-match suspension if he gets a booking.

"We were always running that risk in the last couple of games but because they were vital we just had to take the chance. With nothing much at stake you have to consider it, while at the same time putting out a decent side.

"You have to protect one or two. Because of these two who are already out, you could end up with five missing at the start of the season."

Neil Lennon, Celtic's interim manager, could be in charge for the final time at Tynecastle. His club secured second place two weeks ago but, to continue efforts at persuading the Parkhead board to appoint him permanently, the Irishman is unlikely to field a weakened side.

Celtic have won all seven league matches under Lennon following some insipid performances under Tony Mowbray, and an eighth consecutive victory would make the caretaker's case difficult to ignore.

"If Neil phones me up and tells me he's fielding a younger side that'll maybe help me," joked Jefferies. "I can't see him doing that, though. He's done fantastically well. All right, they had that disaster against Ross County but he's won all his matches in the league. They did well against Dundee United and I don't think there's any doubt they did well against Rangers. He's got the players playing for him so they will want to finish on a high, maybe to get Neil the job."