Jankauskas set to return for Hearts
MARK BONTHRONE AND COLLEEN PATERSON

HEARTS have been handed a timely boost with the news that on-form striker Edgaras Jankauskas will be fit for this weekend's crucial visit of Kilmarnock.

The Lithuanian internationalist, who has banged in eight goals in nine games for the Jambos, was forced to sit out Saturday's 4-0 demolition of Dunfermline with an ankle injury picked up the previous Wednesday against Celtic.

The former Porto star has, however, returned to training and, assuming he has no adverse reaction this week, he will feature on Saturday.

The timing of his return could hardly be better for the Gorgie club who are already sweating on the fitness of Bruno Aguiar, Julien Brellier and Michal Pospisil, who have yet to take part in training.

All three picked up knocks against the Pars although the most serious appears to be Aguiar, who was caught by a late tackle from behind that resulted in Greg Ross being shown a straight red card.

"Edgaras has trained again and he looks fine," said assistant coach John McGlynn.

"He's been doing great recently and is enjoying a really good spell which we hope he can continue.

"Our strikers obviously did well against Dunfermline as well at the weekend so it's good to have that competition for places."

McGlynn also revealed that Neil McCann had not given up hope of making his return from injury in the Scottish Cup final against Gretna next month.

The winger has played just 23 minutes since returning to Hearts in January after suffering medial ligament damage on his debut against Kilmarnock but he is back in light training and that has raised hopes that he will be back in contention for a place before the campaign ends.

McGlynn added: "We are still hopeful Neil will be back before the end of the season. He has the opportunity to become one of the first Hearts players, certainly in the modern era, to win two Scottish Cup medals and that would be an incredible feat."

Hearts currently hold a three-point advantage over Rangers in the race for Champions League place with just five games left.

The Jambos also boast a goal difference that is 12 superior to the Glasgow giants but with a final-day trip to face Alex McLeish's men in Glasgow McGlynn is keen to have things tied up before then.

"It's a massive game for us this weekend," he said. "Getting the points in the bag early, at the start of this five-game sequence, is vitally important.

"Jim Jefferies and Billy Brown will come here and make it very difficult for us as they always do and it's up to us to be ready for that. Ideally we would like to take as much pressure off our shoulders as we can by having things done and dusted before we go to Ibrox."

Meanwhile, Benfica director of football Jose Veiga has become to latest name to be linked with a move to Tynecastle.

It has been reported that Veiga is likely to quit the Stadium of Light in the summer and is being lined up to replace Jim Duffy.

Veiga is already known to Hearts and to Vladimir Romanov as he sanctioned Bruno Aguiar's move from Benfica to Tynecastle in January. He comes with an impressive pedigree, having helped Benfica to the league title last year and to the last eight of the Champions League this season.

HEARTS have announced that tickets for the Scottish Cup final versus Gretna will go on sale at 10am on Monday, April 17 with a maximum of three per season ticket holder.

The Tynecastle club have been allocated an initial 30,000 briefs for the match, although that could rise if there is sufficient demand.

Tickets are only available to season book holders through the internet or by postal application and there are no plans at this stage for direct sales from the ticket office or for sales to non-season ticket holders.

Taken from the Scotsman