Driver's on the road to Hearts derby role

HEARTS winger Andy Driver has a chance of being fit for next week's Edinburgh derby, the Evening News can reveal.

The ankle injury which has precluded him from the last four matches is beginning to subside and he resumed light running on Tuesday at the club's Riccarton training base.

Csaba Laszlo, Hearts' manager, is hopeful that Driver will return to full training next week, and if so he will have every chance of making the journey across Edinburgh to Easter Road on Sunday week.

"Driver has begun training and I hope the reaction is nothing. Then he can play against Hibs," said Laszlo today.

"It's a question of when he can come back. It's a similar situation with David Obua, but he may take a little longer."

Driver and Obua, who has a muscle complaint, last featured for Hearts at Hamilton on August 30.

"Maybe David Obua can try training next week and he might have a small chance for Hibs but I think he will be ready for Aberdeen," said Laszlo.

Four Hearts players are absent from Riccarton this week due to international commitments – Christophe Berra, Saulius Mikoliunas, Marius Zaliukas and Audrius Ksanavicius. This has brought relief for Laszlo as he looks to cement his derby preparations.

"We only have four players away, and then Christophe is back with us after the weekend," he said.

"This works for us because we can prepare thoroughly for the next game."