Frail insists he won't let duo stroll back in

Elliot and Zaliukas were free of suspension for last Wednesday's CIS Insurance Cup semi-final with Rangers, but both were excluded from the 16-man squad on the night as Frail named an unchanged side.

The interim manager will only consider reinstating players on merit having already told new signing Fernando Screpis that his fitness must improve before he can come into first-team contention.

Elliot and Lee Wallace were due back from Portugal with Scotland's under-21 squad today after the four-team Vale Do Tejo tournament, although they and Zaliukas can expect to wait for game time at club level.

"I don't want these guys thinking they can just walk back into the team. They have a lot of hard work to do," said Frail.

"They will need to bide their time because the boys have been doing okay of late. There's been a fine line when we've lost and there hasn't been much in it.

"Calum and Lee are away with Scotland under-21s so we're hopeful they'll get some minutes under their belts out there. It's been a tough time for Calum recently but he's a good player and I'm sure he'll bounce back from it." Earlier this week, Frail informed Screpis he would only be considered for first-team duty after showing an improvement in fitness. "He is a little bit away yet from the level required. He will keep working on his sharpness and fitness and then we'll see how he is," he said.

After returning from an undistinguished six-month loan at Queen of the South, Jamie Mole has impressed Frail with his day-to-day atti
tude and may force his way into first-team contention before the season ends.

"Jamie has been looking good in training," said Frail. "He has fitted straight back in without any problems. His confidence has maybe taken a wee knock but we can see he is a good player. He might have a part to play. We will see how he does."

Meanwhile, Chilean striker Mauricio Pinilla has revealed Italian club Lazio are interested in him for next season. He claims a decision will be made in the summer after the expiry of his contract.

"Lazio have always been interested in me, so this news does not surprise me," said Pinilla, currently recovering from knee-ligament damage. "The challenge is to get through my recuperation before I make a decision on my future. Hearts have been great with me throughout my time out of the team. My deal ends in June and I haven't ruled out staying at Hearts."

Taken from the Scotsman