Hearts boss reveals his contenders for armband

Senior management at Riccarton will reach a decision on Stewart's successor in July once pre-season training is underway, with Zaliukas in possession of the armband until further notice.

The Lithuanian is presently vice-captain and favourite for the full-time appointment. He will continue deputising for Stewart against Dundee United this evening with the midfielder's Tynecastle career now over due to a fallout with coaching staff.

Stewart is not in tonight's match squad and manager Jim Jefferies gave a curt reply of "don't know" yesterday when asked if the 29-year-old had played his last game for Hearts. However, he told the Evening News he is already contemplating Stewart's replacement as captain.

"There are two or three in my thoughts," said Jefferies. "Lee Wallace took charge of the armband a couple of times when Marius and Michael were both out. He did well so he's a contender. You don't know who is going to be here in the summer and who isn't so there's no point choosing somebody now.

"What we're looking at is the candidates. I left the captaincy with Marius because Michael is out of contract soon and no deal was done. I'll look at the situation for next season.

"If nothing was at stake in these final games I'd probably have picked somebody like Eggert to be captain. He's had a good season and is a good type to have. He will be in the frame when we come to make a decision. That will be once we know who is here and who isn't."

Jefferies acknowledged the leadership qualities of Hearts' pre-contract signing Darren Barr, who arrives at Riccarton in June from Falkirk, but stated that expecting a newcomer to assume the captaincy would be unrealistic.

"People have mentioned Darren Barr. He's been a captain before but it might be difficult to throw the captaincy at someone just coming in, so it will be somebody who is established here. Marius, Lee and Eggert are going to be in the frame. We'll start pre-season training and it won't be long into that before we decide who it's going to be."

Jefferies met with Hearts director Sergejus Fedotovas over the weekend and revealed that the Lithuanian has returned home to relay details of the discussions to majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov.

"I spoke to Sergey on Friday about one or two things I was hoping to do. He will go back to Mr Romanov and give him those thoughts," said Jefferies.

"He was at the Hibs game on Saturday and the Player of the Year dinner on Sunday.

"Hopefully he's seen that the club is going in the right direction."