Jefferies unsure on Skacel

Skacel: Hearts contract expires at the end of July

Hearts manager Jim Jefferies fears the club will be unable to secure Czech winger Rudi Skacel on fresh terms.

The likes of Ruben Palazuelos and Ismael Bouzid have already quit the club this summer after failing to agree to stay.

Skacel's contract expires at the end of this month and Jefferies would like to know sooner rather than later if the 31-year-old is staying.

The winger felt he would be entitled to a new and improved deal this coming season, although Jefferies is none the wiser as to what was agreed.

Option

"I knew we had an option on his contract, but I was under the impression it was on the same basis as what he already had," commented Jefferies.

"But Rudi believed the contract would entitle him to more depending on how he did.

"Whether that's too much in the club's eyes, or too little in Rudi's, that's for them to sort out.

"I don't get involved and I wasn't party to the conversations before Rudi came.

"I've learned players get to a stage in their life when they know they should sometimes cash in when they've had a good season.

"It all depends on how much he wants and how much the club offers. Ultimately though I need to know if he's going or staying."