Hearts say Goncalves had resigned himself to leaving the club

By Brian McLauchlin

Jose Goncalves is close to agreeing a contract extension with Hearts after being told he would not play for the club again unless he signed a new deal.

The Portuguese player and manager Jim Jefferies were locked in talks for much of Tuesday and the 24-year-old is close to agreeing a two-and-a-half-year deal.

But the defender will not be considered for Wednesday's match against Celtic.

Goncalves needs to play regularly to retain hopes of securing a place in his country's World Cup squad.

"We were talking until nine o'clock last night and that began again this morning," Jefferies told BBC Scotland before the match at Celtic Park.

"Although we have made some progress, I'd hoped he would say yes, but we have a couple of days more to work on it.

"It's got to come to a final decision over the next 48 hours."

Explaining his decision to leave the defender out of the team, Jefferies said: "I don't think he's right, mentally."

Jefferies said on Tuesday that Goncalves had told him that he thought his future lay away from Tynecastle.

And Jefferies, who succeeded Csaba Laszlo as manager this month, had previously indicated that he had left Goncalves out of his squads for the last two matches because of the contract situation.

"I find it an incredible situation given what's on offer," added the manager. "It tells me that maybe he's not right to play.

"If he ever changes his mind, we'll be glad to welcome him back."

On Tuesday, Jefferies also said that the situation with Goncalves is different to that of other players who are out of contract in the summer, notably Michael Stewart and Laryea Kingston.

"I have made my mind up on Jose," he said. "I want him to stay with Hearts.

"I have still to decide on other players - if I want them to stay or not."

MY SPORT: DEBATE Give your reaction to Jefferies' Goncalves decision

Shortly before the sacking of Laszlo, Goncalves had said there was still a possibility he could remain with the club but hinted that it could dependent on the Hungarian remaining in charge.

The former FC Basel and FBK Kaunas player, who has two caps for Portugal's Under-21 side, would find it difficult to find a new club following the closure of the January transfer window.

However, Jefferies indicated last week that there were still countries to where the defender could move and continue his career before the end of the season.

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