No easy ride for Driver, warns Hearts boss

WHILE admitting he is relishing the prospect of Andy Driver's return from injury, Hearts manager Jim Jefferies today cautioned the winger that he will not automatically be reinstated to the team once fit.

Both David Templeton and Arvydas Novikovas have impressed on the left flank while deputising for Driver, who underwent a summer operation to cure a persistent thigh complaint. Jefferies is encouraged by their performances and said today that Driver must earn his place in the side on merit.

The 22-year-old has become something of a talisman for Hearts in recent seasons and supporters are keen to see him back in a maroon shirt. However, it could be nearer the end of the month before he re-appears as club medical staff take every precaution possible to ensure he is fully rehabilitated.

Jefferies is well aware of the winger's quality and is eager for him to return to the first-team squad, but thereafter he must prove himself better than those challenging for his favoured left-wing berth.

"I've only had Driver available for a few games since I came back to Hearts," said Jefferies. "He played against Hibs and I know about his quality. But when people get injured others come in.

"You can see how well David Templeton has done and Novikovas is knocking on the door too. Driver is a quality player but he has no divine right to walk into the team. Competition for the left side of the pitch is extremely good right now."

Another of Hearts' injured first-team players, Gary Glen, is to play in a closed-door match this week to augment his fitness. "He might be a couple of weeks away yet from the first team," said Jefferies. "Gary might be able to step up his training next week but he's missed a lot of games this year and he's hardly taken part in any pre-season games. He needs a few matches and we hope to give him a run out in another closed-door match this week."

Meanwhile, Rudi Skacel has confirmed that he has had talks with Hearts about a possible return to Tynecastle.

The goalscoring Czech midfielder, a free agent after turning down a new contract at Greek club Larissa, said: "I've started talks with two or three clubs and one of them is Hearts.

"We'll see what happens over the next few days but I'm really excited. The year I spent at Hearts was something special for the team and for me."