Hearts to fine Christian Nade over dressing room fight

Nade has been identified as the aggressor after the pair fell out following the 2-0 defeat by Celtic at Parkhead on Wednesday night. He is alleged to have struck Black after a dispute between the players which related to their performances in the match.

Nade is not expected to feature in this afternoon's league clash with Falkirk at Tynecastle, when Jefferies takes charge of Hearts at home for the first time since returning as manager at the end of last month. But his absence should not necessarily be regarded as punishment for the incident in the Celtic Park dressing-room. The striker's place in the side was already under threat following Hearts' run of four matches without a goal.

"It is an internal matter and the player will be disciplined accordingly," a club spokesman said last night. Nade, one of the highest earners at the club, is poised to be hit by a gross misconduct charge and handed a considerable fine.

Jefferies, meanwhile, is still waiting for an answer from Jose Goncalves after more talks regarding an extension to the defender's contract, which runs out this summer. Jefferies refuses to pick the player until the issue is resolved, although he revealed yesterday that the player is injured.

"The club have done fantastically well to offer him what they have," said Jefferies. "His head is a bit confused. He is injured just now in any case. Even if he signs he's not right back in the mix. He took a slight knock in training."

Goncalves had initially set his own deadline of yesterday to make a decision but Jefferies will not apply pressure on the player.

"We have had further talks," he said. "He's gone away to think about it. I told him to keep in touch. I don't want to put pressure on him. But he has asked for the time. So hopefully he will give me an answer one way or the other."