JAMBOS RED ALERT AS HARTLEY STRUGGLES

HEARTS' on-field crisis deepened last night when midfielder Paul Hartley was rated doubtful for the clash with Dundee United at Tynecastle tomorrow.

The Scotland international returned to training yesterday for the first time since Saturday's first league defeat of the season against arch-rivals Hibs.

Hartley has been plagued by a hamstring and back problem that originally flared up in the 2-0 win over Dunfermline a fortnight ago.

Experienced striker Edgar Jankauskas is suspended for the visit of United after being sent off in the 2-0 defeat at Easter Road and long-term absentee Roman Bednar has not fully recovered from a cartilage operation.

With the untried partnership of Calum Elliott and Michal Pospisil the only remaining option, Jambos caretaker boss John McGlynn wants to have Hartley, who has scored four goals this term, available.

McGlynn said: "Paul returned to training for the first time on Thursday but we'll have to see if he suffers any reaction.

"He's got a back problem and he has been feeling his hamstring also. We think he has maybe had these problems for a wee while. He needs to receive treatment."

Bednar has received a boost in his bid to return to action with doctors giving him the thumbs-up to start jogging.

The Czech injured a knee in the 1-0 win over Rangers, in which he scored, and needed surgery.

McGlynn added: "He will start training at the end of this week and we are hopeful he will play some part against Aberdeen in two weeks

Taken from the Daily Record