Source: Team_Talk
Jambos silent on Stewart future
Jim Jefferies has refused to say whether Michael Stewart had played his last game for Hearts after stripping the midfielder of the captaincy.[LNB] Stewart is reportedly unhappy at being relieved of the armband ahead of last weekend's Scottish Premier League defeat by Motherwell.[LNB]The 29-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and manager Jefferies admitted he was looking for an alternative skipper.[LNB]But the Jambos boss denied suggestions he was being "disrespectful" to Stewart, saying: "I don't know if Michael has been quoted as saying that.[LNB]"Nobody at this club has said whether it's his last game or not.[LNB]"So I cannot comment on that."[LNB]However, Jefferies did refuse to confirm whether the player would be at Tynecastle next season or even in the squad for Saturday's Edinburgh derby at Easter Road.[LNB]"We've never spoken about next year," he said, adding of Stewart's chances of being selected this weekend: "I've not decided that yet - for anybody."[LNB]Explaining the decision to award Marius Zaliukas the captaincy, Jefferies said: "Michael is out of contract.[LNB]"Maybe he's not been quoted but you read that he's played his last game; there's talk about him going to Cyprus.[LNB]"So if he's going to go, I've got to find a captain for next year."[LNB]Stewart returned from seven weeks on the sidelines when he came off the bench in the 2-0 defeat at Rangers almost a fortnight ago.[LNB]Jefferies said: "As far as being disrespectful, he trained for a couple of days with us.[LNB]"He was in the team at Ibrox and he got on.[LNB]"He was great in training all (the following) week.[LNB]"There were plenty of witnesses to say, 'You've done fantastically well - just you concentrate on the football and just let Marius continue'."[LNB]Meanwhile, Jefferies revealed injury-plagued winger Andrew Driver could return this weekend after three weeks out with a thigh tear.[LNB]He said: "There's still a wee chance for Andrew Driver; doubtful, but there's a chance."
