Ian Black wants to be at the Heart

The prospect of anything untoward happening to either midfielder during Hearts' pre-season simply doesn't bear thinking about.

Michael Stewart and Larry Kingston have gone. Ryan Stevenson and Eggert Jonsson are both suspended when the new SPL season begins. That leaves Black and Palazuelos as virtually the last men standing in central midfield. Paul Mulrooney, a talented and enthusiastic teenager, is the only other viable option to start in that position against St Johnstone on the season's opening day, but inexperience will likely count against him.

Black is relishing the prospect of beginning the campaign in his favoured domain. He endured both wide-right and wide-left berths under Csaba Laszlo but unquestionably offered the finest performances of his first season with Hearts after Jefferies replaced the Hungarian and deployed him in central midfield. The player hasn't forgotten the gesture.

As last season progressed he seemed to grow in strength and stature, a raking drive for the decisive third goal against Falkirk in February being a personal standout. If anyone doubted where the 25-year-old performs best, those final weeks of the campaign illustrated the answer perfectly.

"I have that advantage over the boys who are suspended which I want to grab with both hands," he said. "I want to make sure I have a good season because this is a big year for me. There's a lot at stake and I have a good amount of experience now.

"The gaffer spoke to me when he first came in and said he knew I'd been playing out of position. He knew my confidence was a bit low and said he would pick it up. He said I'd get a shot in my best position and I got that towards the end of the season and did well. He knows what my strongest position is and he's going to give me a shot there. I just want to go in there, play well for the team and the gaffer and cement my place.

"There's always going to be pressure. Every player in our squad has good ability and anyone is capable of coming into the team and holding their own. Obviously I'm going to get the option (first]. If I can do it and do well when I go into the team, then I can grab the chance with both hands and try to keep the others out."

The experience Black refers to is not in doubt. The former Blackburn Rovers youth player patrolled Inverness Caledonian Thistle's midfield for five years before defecting to Tynecastle last summer. He is every inch the seasoned SPL campaigner and, as such, remains hopeful of being considered for the vacant Hearts captaincy.

Jefferies has not mentioned Black by name as a potential successor to Stewart, but he will nonetheless be aware of the midfielder's leadership and passion for the cause. Both men share an affection for Hearts in the same way certain religions worship their leaders. To date, Jefferies has spoken of Marius Zaliukas, 26, Lee Wallace , 22, and Eggert Jonsson, 21, as candidates for club captain. At just 16 months younger than Zaliukas, Black is perhaps entitled to feel he has a genuine case for consideration.

"The captaincy is up for grabs and it would be like a dream to get that, being a Hearts man and a local lad. But just starting the season and impressing the gaffer are my priorities," he continued. "We know the armband is floating about and I'm one of the experienced boys now. I've been in the SPL for six years and I know the set-up but that's the gaffer's decision. If I was handed it, I'd be really proud. He hasn't discussed it with any of the boys but we all know it's at the back of his mind. Once the season starts, whoever gets it will be very proud."

The departures of Stewart, who joined the Turkish club Genclerbirligi on a contract worth 16,000 a week, and Kingston deprive Hearts of a multitude of experience. However, it also ensures something of a level playing field in the dressing room given their status as the dominant alpha males at Riccarton in recent seasons. Of course, their influence was not always positive.

This week in Tuscany, the ambience around the squad has been wholly encouraging, creating a welcoming environment for the teenagers who will make up a sizeable portion of Hearts' first-team squad again this season. Training sessions have been punishing but kids like Jason Holt and Paul Mulrooney have thrived. The so-called elder statesmen have taken note.

"Our oldest player on this trip is 26, so there are a lot of young boys," remarked Black. "As one of the older ones you have to help the youngsters and pull them through.

"We can learn things from them and they can learn from us. If we stick together we will be ready for the first game of the season.

"When you're young and fresh, you've got that hunger straight away so they've handled the training well. They're all buzzing and they've been running well. I think they've really enjoyed it. They want to be with the first team and they wouldn't be there if they didn't have the ability. They all have different skills to bring to the team."

It is vital, of course, that Black is available to demonstrate his own talents in the absence of others come Saturday 14 August.