Source: Team_Talk
JJ prepares without rebel Zaliukas
Jim Jefferies will prepare for the visit of Rangers without Marius Zaliukas amid a continuing impasse over his captain's contract situation.[LNB] The Lithuania defender has recovered from injury and played in a behind-closed-doors friendly against St Johnstone on Tuesday, but majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov will not allow him to play for the first team unless he signs a new contract.[LNB]Zaliukas' contract with parent club Kaunas expires in December and the centre-back, who has been on loan at Tynecastle for more than four years, has so far rejected Romanov's proposal.[LNB]Jefferies said: "I'm just going to prepare the team as it stands without him.[LNB]"There's still an opportunity to solve it but that will be up to Marius' agent and the club to sort out.[LNB]"It would be great if we could have him but that situation has been going on for a weeks and we'll just have to wait.[LNB]"If it is sorted out before Sunday it will be a great bonus."[LNB]The situation mirrors that of Jose Goncalves, who played just twice in the last five months of his contract earlier this year after refusing to sign a new deal.[LNB]Before that, former skipper Andy Webster was frozen out of the team in 2006, more than a year before his contract was due to expire.[LNB]Responding to suggestions he was managing the club with one hand tied behind his back, former Kilmarnock boss Jefferies said: "I have been doing that all my life.[LNB]"Last term I inherited a situation with Jose Goncalves, I came in the middle of it.[LNB]"Jose had his reasons and explained them to me, that was his prerogative.[LNB]"The bottom line is Jose was only fit for one game when I was here and I played him. This is a different situation.[LNB]"Marius is on loan, the aim is to make him a permanent signing."[LNB]Meanwhile, Jefferies revealed he had injury concerns over Stephen Elliott, Suso Santana and David Templeton.[LNB]Elliott, who missed six weeks with a hamstring injury, felt tightness in the same area and was pulled out of the St Johnstone game in midweek.[LNB]The two wingers have picked up knocks and will also be assessed before Saturday's lunchtime clash against the Scottish Premier League leaders.
