Malofeev's back

CONTROVERSIAL former Hearts coach Eduard Malofeev will jet out to Austria next week to be part of Hearts' pre-season training camp.

However it is understood that Malofeev, who failed to win a single game while in interim control of team matters at Tynecastle, is not in line for a permanent return to the club.

Malofeev took just three points from a possible 15 during his time in charge as Hearts endured their worst run of results in 40 years, before taking over as head coach of MTZ Ripo in January.

Kaunas coach Angel Chervenkov will also accompany Malofeev on the trip as Hearts begin their build-up to the new season with a week-long training camp in Austria, which will culminate in a friendly match against Austria Vienna.

While the two men will have an input into the players' training regime, they are expected to return to their respective clubs, who are both currently in the middle of their league seasons, at the end of the camp.

The Minsk outfit are heavily financed by Romanov's Ukio Bankas Investment Group, similar to Lithuanian side FBK Kaunas.

Russian-born Malofeev was head of Ripo's youth academy during 2005 before becoming head coach at Kaunas two years ago. He arrived at Tynecastle in June last year as an "advisor to the board on sporting matters" and was then placed in control of team affairs for a period between October and November after Valdas Ivanauskas was granted temporary leave due to ill health.

Meanwhile doctors who operated on Barcelona star Carlos Puyol have revealed that the player will be out of action for at least 12 weeks.

The defender had surgery on torn ligaments in his left knee on Thursday night, and doctor Ramon Cugat warned that the player's recovery period "will be no less than three months as it is a treacherous and problematic tear."

Puyol had been expected to travel to Scotland next month for friendly matches against Hearts and Dundee United.

Almost 23,000 tickets have been sold for the match at Murrayfield, which is still five weeks away, on Saturday July 28. Briefs are available either in person at the Tynecastle or Scottish Rugby ticket centres, by calling 08716631874, option one, or online at: www.heartsfc.co.uk.

Edinburgh Evening News - Sport - Malofeev's back

Romanov throws down gauntlet to Hleb over move

VLADIMIR Romanov has warned Vyacheslav Hleb that he must improve his form if he wants to earn a contract at Hearts. The Belarusian international, younger brother of Arsenal's Alexander Hleb, is set to team up with Hearts during the pre-season training camp in Germany, but a contract remains in the balance, as Romanov hinted that he could be overtaken in his race to sign for the Tynecastle club, by in-form Kaunas forward Ricardas Beniusis .

"Once the Hearts players return from their holidays they will spend about ten days just warming up, before heading off for their pre-season training camp in Germany. Hleb will join up with them there," confirmed Romanov.

However, the Hearts owner admitted that he has been left underwhelmed by Hleb's form and strike rate for MTZ Ripo.

"To be frank, [Hleb's form] is disappointing. He has only managed to score twice in the Belarusian championship, while Beniusis, who is also hoping for a move to Hearts, has scored 14 for Kaunas, and heads the league's top scorers by a distance. That's quite a tangible difference. So we'll have to see what happens.

"The final decision will be taken by the club's head coach, Anatoliy Korobochka. I will heed his opinion."

Scotsman.com Sport - Football - Romanov throws down gauntlet to Hleb over move