Hearts set for Goncalves and Wallace to return

HEARTS expect both Jose Goncalves and Lee Wallace to declare themselves fit for Saturday's SPL trip to Ibrox, although manager Csaba Laszlo must contend with the suspension of Ruben Palazuelos.

Goncalves has suffered with a muscle injury of late and visited a specialist medic in Germany for injections to cure the complaint. He has not played since the victory over Motherwell on 30 December but Laszlo is confident he will return against Rangers.

Wallace last featured in the Edinburgh derby two and a half weeks ago before a foot complaint, which Laszlo attributes to the player's boots, took hold. Both players have shown impressive form this season and will be in contention for the left-back slot on Saturday. Palazuelos sits out a one-match suspension for breaching the SFA's disciplinary threshold with his dismissal against Hibernian. "It looks very good that Goncalves and Wallace will be part of the squad," said Laszlo.

"Ruben is now out but he played a fantastic game at left-back against St Mirren. I bring the people on the field and I try to work with their personalities and their brains to bring out their qualities. I try this with every player and now we have Goncalves and Wallace back to give us extra quality.

"Ruben is out and this is a big problem for us, but if Goncalves and Wallace are back I think we can compensate for his absence. It will be a difficult game at Ibrox but if my players are focused, then we can do something."