Andy Driver returns to Hearts squad for possible Tynecastle farewell

By Alan Pattullo
Published on Sunday 25 December 2011 11:25

HEARTS winger Andrew Driver could make his last appearance at Tynecastle this afternoon after being included in manager Paulo Sergio's 20-man matchday squad for the league clash with Motherwell.

Whether or not Driver will be stripped for action come kick-off time remains to be seen. The player was dropped from the squad before last Saturday's game with Dunfermline following comments made by his agent, Scott Fisher, which detailed the player's unhappiness with life at Tynecastle. Fisher suggested that Driver would be handing in a transfer request since he could no longer play under Sergio, who has proved unwilling to give the player – rated at £2 million by Hearts – an extended run in the team. Hearts have yet to acknowledge the written request reported to have been submitted by Driver earlier this week, though he is still set to leave the club in January.

With the club's media blackout ongoing, the issue of Driver and also Ryan Stevenson was not mentioned by Sergio in an interview with the club's official website ahead of today's fixture.

Stevenson has made it clear that he is not prepared to play for Hearts again after the stresses of the past months put his unborn baby's health at risk. The midfielder has not trained since midweek and has confirmed he won't kick another ball until December's wages have been paid. The players were meant to be paid last Friday but had only received their wages for November 24 hours earlier. October's wages were also heavily delayed.

A complaint has been submitted to the Scottish Premier League by Scotland PFA, on the players' behalf.

"After everything that's been going on, I feel as if this was always going to be the only outcome," Stevenson said. "I don't feel I have been left with any other option than to say: 'Right, I've had enough'."

Stevenson revealed that his pregnant wife had experienced a "small, bad turn" and the doctor advised her to reduce her stress levels. "I am a husband and now I'm going to be a dad," added Stevenson. "I have to stand up for what I believe is right."

Driver, on the other hand, has insisted that he does want to play for Hearts, despite Sergio having challenged him to make his intentions clear following the comments made by his agent prior to last Saturday's match against Dunfermline. "He confirmed he doesn't want to play," said Sergio, who dropped him from his squad. However, comments from Driver later appeared on the club's website, where he firmly emphasised his commitment to Hearts. He also denied planning to invoke Fifa article 17, by which a footballer can break a contract after a so-called "protected period" has expired.

"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," he said.

Driver has made only five starts for Sergio this season and his last three appearances for the club have been as a substitute. If he is to appear at Tynecastle today it will likely come from the bench. It is understood he was not involved in work on the team's formation this week.

Sergio, meanwhile, remained bullish about fifth-placed Hearts' performances as they bid to build on the 4-0 success over Dunfermline.

"We played very well in the last game and I hope the boys are able to continue in that way," he said, in an interview with Hearts TV. "We need three points.

"We know we're going to play against a good side. We respect a lot what Motherwell have been doing this season.

"Everybody's talking about Motherwell, but if we beat them we go just six points behind them. With all the troubles we are living in, it's a good motivation for us and I'm sure we're going to do everything we can to win the game."

Sergio's first SPL match in charge was the 1-0 loss at Fir Park in August, when Ian Black was sent off five minutes into the second half. Following his own disciplinary problems, Sergio will make his return to the Tynecastle dugout tomorrow.

Eggert Jonsson, who this week agreed a January move to Wolves, was absent last week and will be missing again today, with Hearts unwilling to risk a transfer which will bring in much-needed funds.

Taken from the Scotsman