Jefferies keen to keep Wallace

14 July 2011 17:29
Jim Jefferies has urged Hearts to keep left-back Lee Wallace this summer if there is no sizeable bid, even if it means him leaving for nothing.[LNB] But the Tynecastle manager is hopeful the Scotland international will extend his contract.[LNB]Hearts announced they had begun talks over extending Wallace's deal, which expires next summer, after rejecting an offer from Rangers thought to be close to the £1million mark.[LNB]And Jefferies believes the 23-year-old's loyalty to Hearts could see him sign an extended deal.[LNB]"Lee is a great asset to the club," Jefferies said.[LNB]"The problem is that he's in the last year of his contract.[LNB]"It's the same with any player at any club - it makes things a bit more difficult. If we can get him on a long-term contract, then his price will go up.[LNB]"The club will try to extend his contract, but if he wants to move on, clubs will be in for him.[LNB]"If the offer is low, we're better off keeping him as he would be worth more to us in the short time he'd be here.[LNB]"He has a great attitude. I've seen players that let speculation affect them and they're at your door every day asking what's happening - we've never had a problem with Lee.[LNB]"He's been here a long time - if he does move on he would like the club to get decent money for him."[LNB]One player who is set to sign a new deal more imminently is Rudi Skacel, who has been training with the club despite being out of contract.[LNB]Jefferies hopes the Czech international's future is sorted in the coming days and revealed Skacel could even play his first pre-season match when Royal Antwerp visit Tynecastle on Sunday.[LNB]Skacel did not travel to Germany with his team-mates last week as he is further behind in his fitness following the Achilles problem that ended his season prematurely.[LNB]Jefferies said: "He's back training with us but he's not quite 100 per cent ready for matches just yet.[LNB]"I think we'll know by tomorrow if he can feature at the weekend.[LNB]"He has contract talks going on with the club and they'll hopefully be resolved tomorrow or certainly over the weekend."

Source: Team_Talk