MARIUS ZALIUKAS has flown to his native Lithuania for treatment on his injured ankle and remains four weeks away from a first-team return with Hearts.
However, the defender's prolonged absence has been offset to a degree by the news that Michael Stewart and Christian Nade will be fit to play in Saturday's Edinburgh derby.
Midfielder Stewart, also suffering from an ankle complaint, missed last we
ekend's defeat by Motherwell in which Nade was carried off on a stretcher. Manager Csaba Laszlo confirmed that both players will recover in time for the visit of Hibernian.
"Michael Stewart will be fit, definitely," said Laszlo. "Against Motherwell he was out but we are very confident he will be fit against Hibs. Nade did not train on Sunday but I think he will be okay for the derby."
Zaliukas has featured only five times for Hearts this season due to a combination of suspension and injury. He last appeared in the 2-1 victory over Hamilton on 26 September but excess fluid on his ankle has failed to subside since then. He is now consulting Lithuanian medics in an attempt to remedy the problem.
"Zaliukas needs four weeks more, this is the situation," continued Laszlo. "He has gone back to Lithuania because his problem is the ankle and the fluid on it. We consulted with some Lithuanian doctors and physios so he has gone back there for treatment. He should be there maybe about another week."
Spanish winger Suso was due to undergo hernia surgery yesterday and must endure around a month of rehabilitation before he can return.
"Suso will be out after the surgery and he will be missing for three or four weeks," said Laszlo. "But I hope that Calum Elliot will begin to train with the team in the next two weeks, as will David Templeton."
