Hamill talks with Levein about switch
PAUL KIDDIE
HEARTS winger Joe Hamill was today on the verge of a dream move to England after opening talks with Coca-Cola Championship side Leicester City.
The 21-year-old has travelled south for talks with former boss Craig Levein having been told by Jambos manager George Burley that his first-team opportunities this season will be restricted.
The big-spending Gorgie chief has made seven signings since his appointment to the hot seat, with the squad now particularly well endowed on the left-hand side of the park.
The arrival of the likes of Czech internationalist Rudi Skacel and the presence of the experienced Jamie McAllister and David Cesnauskis has seen Hamill drop down the pecking order to such an extent that Burley is happy to give him the chance of finding some regular action elsewhere.
"We have got plenty of back- up on the left-hand side of the team now so we have agreed to let Joe speak to Leicester," he said. Levein, of course, knows the player well from his time in charge at Tynecastle and is an admirer of the youngster's ability to provide dangerous crosses from the left-hand side of the park.
Hamill signed a new one-year deal in the summer but would jump at the chance to reunite himself with other familiar faces at the Walkers Stadium, Levein having also poached Mark de Vries, Alan Maybury and Patrick Kisnorbo from the Gorgie club since taking charge of the Foxes last season.
"Joe knows Craig Levein well and, if the talks work out, it will be a good opportunity for the lad," added Burley.
Striker Michal Pospisil, meanwhile, came through Tuesday's reserve derby against Hibs without any reaction to his hamstring problem but will have to wait for first-team involvement.
The Czech star trained yesterday but Burley admitted that Sunday's trip to Tannadaice and the SPL meeting with Dundee United will come too soon for the forward. "Michal played 45 minutes against Hibs at Easter Road but is still a bit short of match fitness," said Burley.
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