Hearts: Jim Jefferies offers big incentive to striker Kevin Kyle

The Scotland striker will play from the start this evening for the first time since arriving from Kilmarnock on freedom of contract. He is expected to partner the in-form Calum Elliot in attack after the pair helped demolish Hamilton in the second half at New Douglas Park on Saturday.

Jefferies is keen for that pairing to develop an understanding ahead of United's visit to Tynecastle. "We always earmarked these two games for Kevin to start," he said. "He hasn't done a lot of training but he came on against Hamilton and we got a lift from his presence.

"I'm going to harp on that this will not be a team which will just lump the ball up to Kevin Kyle. This team will get the ball passed around, get it played out wide and when we get good deliveries into the box, then the big man will relish that. He's going to get a good number of goals for Hearts.

"Tonight is a game both him and Stephen Elliott were earmarked for, but Stephen isn't going to make it. We also have doubts over Marius Zaliukas and Darren Barr due to minor knocks."

Eggert Jonsson and Ryan Stevenson, now free of suspension, will also start against Elgin to hone their match fitness after missing the opening two games of the SPL season. Jefferies is also considering starting two wingers, with David Templeton on the right flank and Arvydas Novikovas on the left.

"We've used both of them separately in pre-season but you might see both together tonight because Temps can play on the right," he continued. "That is certainly in my thoughts. If Novikovas doesn't start, he'll certainly feature. I think Novikovas is starting to mature a little bit but we'll nurse him along gradually. He's got plenty of time yet to develop. Eggert Jonsson and Ryan Stevenson will also play."

Meanwhile, Hearts' SPL encounter with Kilmarnock on Sunday 31 October has been rescheduled for a 12.45pm kick-off and will be broadcast live by Sky Sports. The game had been due to start at 12.15pm.