From Hearts News at Il Ciocco, in Tuscany

Boss Jim Jefferies remains hopeful that Scotland international Lee Wallace will be fit for the start of the season.

The Tynecastle defender sat out most of the Jambos' pre-season training at Il Ciocco after suffering what JJ described as a "small tear" to a calf muscle.

Lee will fly back to Edinburgh later today with the rest of the squad and will continue to receive treatment at Riccarton.

The injury is a blow to both JJ and the player, although the manager is keeping his fingers crossed Lee will make the Clydesdale Bank Premier League kick-off against St Johnstone on August 14.

"Lee's injury is a small tear to his calf," he said. "Obviously it's a concern but I'm hopeful he'll be okay for the start of the season.

"He'll get more treatment when we get back and we'll just have to wait and see how he progresses but at the moment it's really too early to put a time frame on things."

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