Hearts players are yet to receive cash for this month

HEARTS players have not received their wages this month with club officials unclear this morning as to when salaries may be processed. Sergejus Fedotovas, a Tynecastle director, stressed that funds had been released from Lithuania to pay players' wages, however they have not reached personal bank accounts.

The club also defended their position on bonus payments, which are still outstanding from last season. They said this money would be paid once all disciplinary matters are settled with the Scottish Football Association.

Tynecastle officials were working today to resolve any confusion over wages. Fedotovas said: "The funds were provided so they should be paid. I'm not aware of any issue. We don't have any problem and I haven't heard of anything that should prevent this from being paid."

Players' bonus payments for finishing third in the SPL last season have also yet to be paid. The Hearts board will withhold the money until they have a final decision from the SFA over the disciplinary fines imposed on the club.

Hearts have appealed the record 100,000 penalty - 40,000 of which was suspended - issued last month by the SFA for poor on-field discipline last season. Once that appeal is heard, the amount due in fines will be deducted from the squad's bonus pot.

"This regulation is a part of our bonus structure," said Fedotovas. "Once last season's (fines) are finalised, then we pay bonuses. If we have some disciplinary fines then we have to resolve them. Then we make a final calculation and payment. This has been part of the bonus document for some time already.

"The board sets the bonus structure so this is something that the board approves before the start of every season."

On a positive note, Hearts are ready to renew Rudi Skacel's contract following discussions between the Czech midfielder and the club hierarchy. The 32-year-old scored 13 times last season and Hearts have the option to extend his deal through to next summer.

Fedotovas said: "We're going to extend the contract with Rudi, we've had discussions with him on the commercial side of it and it appears to be finalised. When Rudi joined he signed a contract with the option of another year so officially he does not need to sign anything but I hope this will all be resolved in the coming days.

"This is a piece of good news for the club and we're really happy to be keeping a player like Rudi, and we're looking forward to what we hope will be a successful European campaign."