Jankauskas chances slim

HEARTS striker Edgar Jankauskas has just a "50-50" chance of making this weekend's league clash against Motherwell.

The Lithuanian star limped out of Sunday's draw with Aberdeen towards the end of the match with a hamstring problem.

Tests this week have revealed a slight tear and the target man is now a major doubt for the trip to Fir Park, assistant coach John McGlynn revealed today.

"He is the one big worry for us ahead of Saturday," he said.

"He has a small tear in his hamstring and is obviously a doubt for Motherwell. At the moment I would say his chances have to be rated at 50-50."

Boss Graham Rix will be wary of asking too much of the experienced front man, with the danger he could be ruled out for much longer if pressed into action.

"We will give Edgar as long as we can to prove his fitness for Saturday," added McGlynn, "but it is the kind of injury we have to be careful about."

Czech front man Roman Bednar was due to restart full training today after recovering from the knee injury suffered against Rangers in September, while Graham Weir was also due to rejoin his first-team colleagues for training as he battles back from a serious leg fracture picked up in pre-season.

Prior to the game against the Dons, Rudi Skacel had been toiling with a hip problem but he has trained this week and will be fine for the clash against Terry Butcher's Steelmen.

Should Jankauskas fail to make it, Rix will have an able deputy in the form of teenager Calum Elliot, who performed well after coming on at half-time at Pittodrie for Michal Pospisil.

"Calum has done well this season and if that is a route the manager decides he wants to go down, then I am confident Calum won't let anyone down," said McGlynn.

"We will assess Roman Bednar after today's session and see how he is but it is good to have him and Graham Weir back with the boys in training after their injuries."

Neil MacFarlane, meanwhile, was today targeting a first-team recall after coming through his first game for three months unscathed.

The industrious midfielder has been sidelined by a knee injury since August but took a giant stride forward by playing 90 minutes of yesterday's SPL Reserve League clash against Motherwell at Stenhousemuir.

The Jambos came from behind to win 2-1 through strikes by Stephen Simmons and Hjalmar Thorarinsson.

It MacFarlane's first taste of action since damaging his knee in the CIS Cup win over Queen's Park at Hampden and his return will be a major lift for Rix.

Hearts: McDonald, Thomson, Tierney, Tall, Berra, MacFarlane, Cesnauskis (Mole, 75), Camazzola, Simmons, Thorarinsson (Doherty, 75), Wallace.

Taken from the Scotsman