Now Driver says he does want to play for Sergio

Published on Friday 23 December 2011 01:42

Winger Andrew Driver has performed an apparent U-turn over his refusal to play for Hearts under manager Paulo Sergio by insisting he is committed to the Edinburgh club and available for selection.

Driver has refuted suggestions he was keen to leave and could yet play against Motherwell in a match which is set to go ahead without midfielder Ryan Stevenson in the Hearts side after he made himself unavailable after expressing his frustration at recent delays to wage payments.

Sergio spoke to Hearts TV following last Saturday's 4-0 Clydesdale Bank Premier League win over Dunfermline to explain the situation regarding Driver, who was reported to have requested a transfer after being disappointed at a lack of first-team opportunities.

The Portuguese had confronted Driver over quotes attributed to his agent before omitting the player from the matchday squad.

Sergio told Hearts TV on Saturday: "I gave him the opportunity to clarify the situation. He confirmed he doesn't want to play."

However, Driver is now apparently willing to be considered for selection. With the club's media blackout ongoing, Driver told Hearts News: "It is important for everyone to know that I have a contract with Heart of Midlothian for the next 18 months and will always give 100 per cent for my employer in training and on the field if selected.

"I can understand and fully respect the manager's reaction to misquoted media reports but I must confirm neither I nor my representatives have ever stated that I do not want to play for the club and/or the management.

"I also note there are stories today regarding my use of Fifa article 17 to somehow accelerate my exit from the club. This is a complete media fabrication.

"I am an ambitious player and want to test myself at the highest level. However, my present focus is to try and achieve a starting position with Hearts."

Fifa's article 17 is the so-called Andy Webster ruling – named after Driver's Hearts team-mate – where a footballer can break their contract once a "protected period" has expired.

While Driver appears to be set to stay at Hearts, at least for the time being, Stevenson could depart when the January transfer window opens.

The 27-year-old, whose contract expires at the end of the season, held talks with Sergio yesterday and is believed to have decided to take several days off to consider his position.

The former Ayr midfielder, who was called up to the Scotland squad for last month's friendly against Cyprus, has been linked with a move to Bristol City and could seek to leave under breach of contract next month. Hearts on Wednesday agreed to sell Iceland international Eggert Jonsson to Wolves on 1 January.

Striker Calum Elliot and back-up goalkeeper Janos Balogh secured their departures in recent weeks, while midfielder Rudi Skacel is out of contract in January.

The first-team squad are still awaiting their wages for December, which were due last week, after suffering major delays in their previous two monthly payments.

A Scottish Premier League sub-committee will rule on the issue on 4 January after considering a complaint from PFA Scotland on behalf of the players.

Taken from the Scotsman