Andy Driver in bid to start for Hearts against St Mirren

ANDY DRIVER is in contention to start this evening's Co-operative Cup semi-final against St Mirren despite having played just 45 minutes of competitive football in the last three months.

The Hearts winger replaced Marius Zaliukas at half-time during Saturday's defeat against St Johnstone, his first appearance since the Edinburgh derby on 7 November last year. His campaign has been plagued by heel and knee injuries but manager Jim Jefferies is hopeful of including him in his starting XI tonight.

Hearts signed the Ayr United winger, and former Chelsea trainee, Ryan Stevenson last night but he is cup-tied having faced Stirling Albion in the first round of the competition last August.

Jefferies believes reinstating Driver could accord his team an extra spark in arguably their most important match of the season.

"Andy Driver has come through the weekend okay so he looks as if he could start," Jefferies said today. "Zaliukas has responded and I don't think his injury is as bad as first feared. He is improving so he has an outside chance.

"In a situation like tonight, you have to know which guys will go there and roll up sleeves and do battle for you. That will be taken into consideration so we are keeping our fingers crossed that some of the injured players are available. I'd like a few of them back.

"I've been in semi-finals before but it isn't going to be the greatest pitch tonight. None of the teams will be allowed to play decent football if the surface cuts up badly, so it's going to be a real blood-and-thunder cup tie. It doesn't take a great crowd to generate a good atmosphere at Fir Park, as I learned a couple of years ago when I took Kilmarnock there against Falkirk. I'm certainly ready for it."

Stevenson finalised his transfer to Tynecastle for a nominal fee shortly before 9.30pm last night. As part of the deal, Australian midfielder Rocky Visconte has been loaned to Ayr until the end of the season.

"I am over the moon that I've been able to come to a club this size," Stevenson said. "Outside the Old Firm this is definitely the biggest club. I can't wait to get started but I am just disappointed that I am cup-tied for tonight. I am dying to get my head down and make an impression.

"I am a central midfielder who likes to get forward and score goals. I like to try and help my team-mates out. I work hard and, if I can get forward, score goals – which is what I like to do."

Meanwhile, Lithuanian defender Marius Cinikas has returned to Kaunas at the end of his loan deal and reserve midfielder Stephen Husband has completed a permanent move to English Championship club Blackpool.