Source: Team_Talk
Jefferies keen to keep Zaliukas
Hearts manager Jim Jefferies is set to hold talks with defender Marius Zaliukas to determine whether he has a long-term future at Tynecastle.[LNB] The Lithuanian's current loan deal from Kaunas is set to expire in December but the Jambos boss is keen on retaining his services beyond the turn of the year.[LNB]"There will be talks very soon to see about his situation," Jefferies told Hearts.TV.[LNB]"If we can sort something out then great as he is a very good player."[LNB]Zaliukas wore the captain's armband at the end of last season but, with a question mark still hanging over his future at the Edinburgh club, Jefferies has yet to decide whether he will continue as skipper next season.[LNB]The Hearts boss revealed that Eggert Jonsson and Lee Wallace are also strong candidates for the captaincy but has not ruled out Zaliukas either.[LNB]"I made Marius captain when I came here so he is obviously a top candidate," Jefferies added.[LNB]"But I won't be deciding on a captain until the pre-season games get under way when I can get a look at everybody.[LNB]"There is also Eggert and Lee Wallace, for example, so we'll see how things go.[LNB]"Whoever is captain has to have the right attitude, be a leader of men and 100 per cent behind everything."[LNB]Bristol City's Paul Hartley has declared an interest in returning to Hearts but Jefferies refused to be drawn on any further summer signings at this stage.[LNB]Speaking from their pre-season training camp in Tuscany, he said: "I'm waiting on news back on a few things and we still have to the end of August.[LNB]"I'll see how things develop. I know about Paul Hartley's situation and if we do manage to bring anyone in, they have to be the right type."[LNB]
