We won't risk Driver unless he's fully fit, says Hearts boss

JIM JEFFERIES has pledged not to risk Andy Driver in Hearts' SPL encounter at St Mirren this weekend if the winger is still suffering pain from tendonitis in his knee.

Driver's season has been severely hindered by the injury, causing him to miss last Saturday's defeat to Rangers. Hearts medics have advised him to rest this week in the hope that the pain subsides, but Jefferies said today he will not gamble with the Englishman's fitness in Paisley.

"It's okay playing when he has no pain, but when there is pain there it's sensible not to push it or take any gambles," he explained.

"We knew he would be a bit sore after the Hibs game two weeks ago. He only trained once last week but he looked okay, it just didn't settle down quick enough. Towards the end of last week he was feeling pain so we couldn't risk it against Rangers.

"When it becomes as sore as that you just have to leave it. Because he had trained for a good week or two before the Hibs game and wasn't feeling pain, we could take the chance but I knew it would be sore. He lasted longer in that game due to enforced changes we had to make. It wasn't ideal. Maybe that wee bit extra he had to give kept him out of the Rangers game, which is unfortunate.

"We don't know if he'll be available this weekend. He'll just rest it and then we'll see if he can do anything later in the week. It's just a case of waiting till the pain from the tendonitis clears up."

Yesterday's closed-door friendly against Motherwell at Riccarton was postponed due to bad weather. Meanwhile, Hearts have taken 18-year-old English striker Rob Ogleby on trial with their under-19 squad following his release by Coventry City.