Source: Team_Talk
Wallace offered hope of quick recovery
Hearts have been handed a major boost as it emerged Lee Wallace may not require surgery and could return from his knee injury in three months.[LNB] Wallace suffered a torn posterior cruciate ligament in Scotland's 2-1 defeat of Liechtenstein on Tuesday night.[LNB]Jim Jefferies had resigned himself to being without the left-back for a minimum of six months but the Hearts manager has[LNB]now received promising news from Wallace's consultant.[LNB]"The medical people have told us that they don't think an operation is required," Jefferies told Hearts News.[LNB]"Normally when you tear a cruciate ligament there is other damage and a lot of other issues but this doesn't appear to be the case with Lee.[LNB]"They are talking about him being in a splint for four weeks and then taking the rehab from there and he could be back in 12 weeks."[LNB]Jefferies was thrilled with the news, although confirmation will not be received until next week.[LNB]The manager added: "This is massive news for us, although we won't have it confirmed for sure until Lee sees the specialist next week.[LNB]"Fingers crossed their initial thoughts are correct. This is more encouraging for us and a big boost for the lad, as being out for 10 to 12 weeks is better than the 24 which we all thought."[LNB]The first fixture Wallace will miss as a result of the injury he suffered at Hampden Park is Saturday's clash with Celtic, meaning Jefferies will be without two members of his first-choice defence.[LNB]Marius Zaliukas is also out with a knee problem, while he remains the subject of contract discussions with majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov with his loan from FBK Kaunas due to expire in December.[LNB]There is the added factor that Wallace was named skipper in club captain Zaliukas's absence, meaning Jefferies is set to hand the armband to Eggert Jonsson at Parkhead on Saturday.[LNB]Wallace's place at left-back could go to midfielder Ruben Palazuelos, who is prepared to play wherever he is asked.[LNB]"I prefer to play in midfield, but I have played left-back," he said.[LNB]"Last year, when I played there, I played okay. But it's a decision for the manager. I will play there - it's better than nothing."[LNB]While the future for Wallace now appears to be brighter, there remains ongoing uncertainty over Zaliukas.[LNB]The Lithuania international last week denied claims he had asked for £20,000 a week to sign a new deal and insisted he hoped the situation would soon be resolved.[LNB]Jefferies today called for Zaliukas to do his utmost to extend his stay in Edinburgh.[LNB]The Hearts boss said: "A bit of it is in Marius's own hands as well - he's got to want to stay here and he's got to want to agree terms."[LNB]Zaliukas held discussions with Romanov in Lithuania during the international break, but a resolution is no nearer.[LNB]The 26-year-old defender was at Hearts' Edinburgh training ground today, but is unavailable as Jefferies' side take their unbeaten record to Celtic on Saturday.[LNB]"He's back over today to get treatment," said Jefferies.[LNB]"I don't think the situation's changed. He's locked in talks with them - he's a Kaunas player and until that's resolved we'll have to wait and see. I've just got to get on with things here."
