Manager Jim Jefferies believes victory over Dundee United on Sunday can provide the foundation for a successful league campaign.

The Jambos have impressed in the opening weeks of the season, gathering four points from clashes against St Johnstone and Hamilton and booking their place in the third round of the Co-operative Insurance Cup.

The weekend visit of the Tangerines promises to be a stern examination for the home side but JJ is confident his side can come out on top and hopes a good result will set Hearts on a roll.

Speaking a today's pre-match perss conference at Riccarton, he said: "We've made a decent start, performance wise as well as the results. The attitude and application has been terrific as well and if we show that consistently we have more chance of getting results.

"United are a decent side and this will be a tough game for us.

"We would love to go into the break having won this game and then we could say there's a basis there to kick on and do what we set out to do and that is be at the right end of the table.

"People are saying it's a different Hearts team this year and we will be a difficult team to overcome and that's a positive sign for us. We are making more chances and we're getting balls into the box."

Doubts remain over in-form Calum Elliot, the striker having twisted his knee in training ahead of the Elgin City cup-tie.

He will be given every chance to make Sunday, with Jim adding: "There is a little bit of swelling but the extra day might help him. If he trains on Saturday and gets no reaction then he'll be fine for Sunday.

"The X-rays have shown there is something slight there which might settle down and isn't too bad at the moment. I'm hoping he makes it as he doesn't deserve not to be in the team."

Stephen Elliott remains on the treatment table with a thigh strain, with JJ expecting him to be fully fit after the international break should be miss the trip to Tannadice.

David Obua is back in training, although the United clash may come too soon for the Ugandan international.

Gary Glen and Andrew Driver are still out, while Darren Barr and Lee Wallace are rated as doubtful.

The manager, meanwhile, remains hopeful that Marius Zaliukas will be involved on Sunday.

The Lithuanian, whose loan deal expires in December, is currently back in his homeland discussing personal terms on a permanent move after FBK Kaunas and Hearts reached agreement on the deal.

The defender has been made a very good offer by Hearts to extend his stay in the Capital and JJ said: "Marius is in Lithuania at the moment for talks. He wouldn't have trained today any way because of his knee injury.

"I hope the talks go alright and he'll be back on Friday to prepare for the game, if he is fit as he is still a doubt at the moment."

On Hearts.TV today, watch JJ's pre-match press conference IN FULL from Riccarton.