Jim Jefferies expects decision on Jose Goncalves' future by the end of the week

Despite being Hearts' best player so far this season, the Portuguese defender has been sidelined by the club in recent weeks over his refusal to accept an offer of an extension to his current deal, which expires at the end of the season.

However, Jefferies thought he had made some kind of breakthrough after positive talks with the player on Tuesday evening, only to find yesterday morning that Goncalves had again gone cool on the idea of committing to the Tynecastle beyond this summer.

As a result, any hope of him being recalled to the side for last night's clash with Celtic was dashed.

"I was really, really confident after talks last night," said Jefferies, who has made it clear he will not play Goncalves unless he agrees a new deal.

"I had expected it all to go through so I felt a bit let down. That shows how difficult it is but I am not giving up hope.

"I was speaking to him until nine o'clock (on Tuesday night], after a day at training and I thought we were very close. I was on the phone since I got up this morning until we left for the game and I have been in constant contact with him. I am trying to understand why he is not signing.

"The club have made him a tremendous offer and the only loser is Jose, he is the one putting himself out the team.

"I'm getting the vibes that he doesn't want to play for the club and I'm trying to convince him to play.

"That's the bridge that we are trying to cross.

"He says he wants time. I haven't given up hope and Jose says I will know by Friday. I want him to stay and we need all the players we can get." Meanwhile, Jefferies is still waiting for the first goal of his second term in charge of the Tynecastle club after last night's 2-0 defeat at Parkhead made it three straight losses since he replaced Csaba Laszlo.

The latest reverse saw the Edinburgh club drop out of the top six in the SPL, but Jefferies isn't showing any sign of being alarmed by the size of the task facing him in his second spell in charge at Tynecastle.

"I'm learning every day about the squad and I know what is wrong," he said.

"I'm not making any definite assessments at the moment and the players have to use the time they have between now and the end of the season to prove they have a future at this club."