Jim Jefferies was this morning readying Hearts for a trip to Motherwell tomorrow - and he admitted that it's going to be the toughest of tests.

The Steelmen are the inform team in Scotland since the turn of the year.

Under new boss Craig Brown, and his veteran assistant Archie Knox, the Fir Park outfit have been magnificent clocking up a ten match unbeaten run.

Indeed Brown secured a second consecutive Clydesdale Bank Premier League Manager of the Month award last week, a point not lost on JJ.

Speaking ahead of tomorrow's game Jim joked: "Craig did well as they never got beat in the next game and you normally get beat in the next game. They did well to get that old thing out of the way!

"They are a good side. There is a lot made of their pitch but one thing that has impressed us about Motherwell is they have a lot of good footballers and they try and play it.

"People say they have an advantage as they play on that pitch and there is a bit of truth in that but they are good side and they will get frustrated with it as everyone else."

For all the deserved praise, nobody should doubt that Jim, assistant manager Billy Brown and first team coach Gary Locke are not determined to do their bit as Hearts seek to end such a proud record!

"They are on a great run," he acknowledged. "I thought St Johnstone were a bit unlucky and maybe deserved a draw (last Saturday).

"The other night (against St Mirren) Craig said they did not play well in the first half and could have lost but they played well in the second half and could have won it.

"Their confidence will be up. But it is very difficult to go that length of games but whether it is us who stops that depends on how well we play!"

Hearts will make late decisions on Dawid Kucharski (groin), Jose Goncalves (thigh), Scott Robinson (knee). Eggert Jonsson and Larry Kingston are available for selection after injury.

Definitely out are Marian Kello, Craig Thomson, Marius Zaliukas, Ismael Bouzid, Ian Black, Ruben Palazuelos, Michael Stewart, Andrew Driver, and Jonathan Stewart.

On Hearts.TV tomorrow - listen to LIVE coverage of Motherwell v Hearts, on air from 2.45pm (UK) at Fir Park