Hearts boss says Kyle desperate for green light

HEARTS boss Jim Jefferies admitted today that Kevin Kyle is desperate to be given the green light to face Hamilton tomorrow.

The big striker underwent two surgical procedures during the summer and as a result was forced to settle for a 25-minute appearance in Hearts' opening game of the season, coming off the bench in last week's 1-1 draw with St Johnstone.

However he played in the club's closed-door match against East Fife on Tuesday night and now looks to be in line to start against Billy Reid's side tomorrow at lunchtime.

While Jefferies was playing his cards close to his chest over team selection for the clash with Accies, he revealed that Kyle is buzzing at the thought of getting his first 90 minutes under his belt.

Jefferies said: "He is desperate to play, and that is a great sign.

"We will have to do it sensibly though – and he is experienced enough to know that too. We have said that we will put him in when he is ready and he is available right now to be used.

"If we see fit to start him then hopefully he can make the same impact that he did coming on as a sub last week."

Jefferies will again be missing Eggert Jonsson and Ryan Stevenson as both players are still suspended, however Ismael Bouzid is available again after a ban and recovering from a head knock he sustained in the friendly match against Millwall last month. The Hearts manager expects David Obua to return to training next week after injury.

Meanwhile Jefferies revealed that he is waiting for more information on Jonathan Toto before deciding whether to offer the 20-year-old striker a deal.

The Cameroonian, who has a French passport, has been on trial at Tynecastle and scored twice in a closed-doors win over East Fife earlier this week.

Jefferies said: "Before we can do anything we have to find out what can be done. When you bring in a young player like that , one or two clubs have been caught on the hop, ending up facing 50,000 or 60,000 in compensation.

"Until we get all of the paperwork done, and we have got clearance in terms of a letter from Metz, there is no point in discussing it because we might not be able to get him anyway."