Elliot in talks with MK Dons after Caley fail in loan bid

HEARTS have given striker Calum Elliot permission to talk to MK Dons, after a bid by Inverness Caledonian Thistle to take him on loan was rejected by the Edinburgh club.

The Highland side still hope a deal can be done, but Elliot has travelled south to speak to the Coca-Cola League Two champions. The opportunity to join up with Roberto Di Matteo's ambitious side would represent a fresh and exciting challenge for the Scotland Under-21 internationalist whose career has nosedived in recent seasons.

Elliot is eager to leave Tynecastle after an alarming dip in form and confidence which led to him being subjected to abuse from a significant contingent of Hearts supporters.

The 21-year-old was left out of the 25-man Hearts squad that travelled to Germany on Sunday to continue their pre-season programme and a move to pastures new now appears to be only a matter of time.

A Hearts spokesman said: "We are aware of interest from a number of clubs and MK Dons is one of them. As a Scotland Under-21 international, Calum will be a valuable addition to another club and we will do what we can to create opportunities for him to develop his career."

After shining under in Hearts' successful 2005-06 season, Elliot was surprisingly loaned to Motherwell for the first half of the following campaign, but failed to impress the Fir Park fans and, with his confidence sapped, he did not score for Hearts following his return. Last season saw things become much worse for the youngster as he managed only four goals despite being afforded 27 outings, and the vitriol from some Tynecastle fans grew by the week.

An ill-fated dance routine with a friend which appeared on YouTube earlier this year did little to aid the Edinburgh-born forward's cause, and it is hard to envisage him being able to hit the heights he attained during that short period under former Hearts head coach Graham Rix almost three years ago.

Another player on his way out of Tynecastle is Fernando Screpis, but the Argentine midfielder claims he has been treated unfairly by the Edinburgh club after being told his contract had been cancelled. Screpis had an unsuccessful trial game with Plymouth Argyle on Friday after being left out of the Hearts squad that travelled to Germany.

The 29-year-old played five times for Hearts towards the end of last season and came on as a second-half substitute in new manager Csaba Laszlo's first match in charge, last Monday's draw at Glentoran. He initially joined up with the squad in pre-season last year and was handed a three-and-a-half-year deal which came into effect in January after a short spell at FBK Kaunas.

Screpis said: "Hearts are telling me my contract is cancelled. According to the contract I signed last July I have three years left, so I am waiting for the club to contact me about this. I am sad to leave, but I don't think I was given enough chances in the team. I don't think I was treated fairly. I find it strange that the new manager only saw me play for less than 40 minutes but then I am told there is no place for me."

Screpis played for the Home Park side in a 2-2 draw with Kidderminster but manager Paul Sturrock dropped his interest as he did not think the player was fit enough, despite being impressed by his overall play.

Meanwhile, Laszlo has outlined his plans for triple training sessions in Eltville, near Wiesbaden, where the squad arrived late on Sunday night.

"Our first session will be stabilising work for 30 minutes," he said. "Our morning session will last 70 minutes and focus on the shape and style of the team.

"In the evening we'll continue to work with the ball, but the focus will be on our fitness and sharpness."