Kevin Kyle misses out on pre-season camp

REPORTING back to training, as Hearts induldged in some head tennis, as well as the kind of running which hints at the tough pre-season which stretches out in front of them, there was a fresh sense of confidence. It was tempered only slightly by the absence of key figures.

It was already known that Andy Driver would not participate alongside the rest of the squad. His rehabilitation from the latest surgery aimed at tackling the recurring knee issues, means he has his own regime to follow in the hope of joining his peers around the start of the new domestic campaign. But, also missing was summer signing Kevin Kyle. The Scotland international had an operation soon after signing for the Tynecastle club and, as his new team-mates were reintroduced to the training grounds at Riccarton, he met with his Bradford-based specialist. "He had a small operation which he required to make sure he was ready for the start of the season and he had to go back for a check up," said manager Jim Jefferies of his main close-season acquisition thus far. "He just had to release the abductor which was causing a little niggle on his groin and they have just tried to ease the pressure."

A routine operation, it had been hoped that he would be able to travel with the squad to their training camp in Italy this weekend but, following a further injection, he will now remain at home to recuperate with the physios.

"If it's not good to push it too hard then there's no point in him going," explained an unfazed Jefferies. "If he needs rest, it's better to stay here. I think one of the things you do when you come back is push yourself too hard to get back quickly and you can overstep the mark."

Wrapping his star turns in cotton wool may be a worthwhile precaution. Having addressed the issue which has plagued the capital side in recent seasons by the signing of a player who can trouble the opposition net, the last thing Jefferies needs is to embark on the new campaign without him, especially when there is a belief within the ranks that a tougher pre-season will allow them to improve on last season's troubled start of three wins in their first 15 SPL matches.

The service provided by wide men such as Driver will be crucial which is why Jefferies is delighted to see Burnley stem their interest in luring the wideman to the Championship. He applauded the club's unwillingness to sell the player cheaply and claimed he was delighted to see the player accepting the situation with real positivity.

"I was worried that with the speculation he might be down but he is the opposite and is just desperate to play. He has seen a big improvement in last few days (with his fitness] and it will be touch and go whether he makes the start of the season.

Personally, I'm happy the deal didn't go through and if Andrew gets back to top form then there's going to be bigger clubs than Burnley chapping on the door and he knows that. He doesn't feel his chance has gone at all."

Despite adding Kyle and Darren Barr to the squad and, thus far, retaining Driver, Jefferies is hopeful of bolstering the chances of silverware and a much-improved league position by strengthening his squad again.

Claiming that securing a place in Europe is vital and stating that a top-three finish should be expected of a club of Hearts' size, he has been linked with Craig Bryson and Paul Hartley. He refused to comment on the speculation but it is understood that the Kilmarnock midfielder would be the preferred option although enquiries are ongoing with regards both players. "I am still hopeful we can get another couple of players in. We have made plenty of enquiries but we have been beaten by offers elsewhere and also other clubs have not wanted to make it easy but there is still time."

Adrian Mrowiec, has returned from Polish football and will be gifted a second chance after Jefferies received favourable reports. He is hoping the player, who faltered in his previous loan stint during season 2008/09, may offer another defensive option across the middle but still wants another midfielder who can make runs beyond the strikers. Ryan Stevenson and Eggert Jonsson are both suspended for the season opener against St Johnstone on 14 August and there is already a void following the departure of Michael Stewart and Laryea Kingston. Jefferies has addressed the matter of goals, but he knows that a midfield addition would be timely. z