Basso may be forced out as Vlad 'meddling' in Hearts keeper row

ANTHONY BASSO'S agent expects the Frenchman to leave Hearts after being excluded from the team due to interference from Vladimir Romanov.

Stephen Frail, the club's interim manager, was forced to tell Basso he would not play against St Mirren last weekend after the goalkeeper's contract negotiations broke down.

Romanov was irked by the lack of progress during discussions with Basso's agent, Tomasso Angelini, and ordered that the 28-year-old be demoted despite an outstanding performance against Kilmarnock in Hearts' previous match. Steve Banks was reinstated for the 3-2 victory after recovering from illness.

The interference contradicts previous public statements that Frail would have full autonomy on team selection pending the arrival of a new manager, and Angelini believes Basso's long-term future is now doubtful.

"The coach told Anthony he could not play because he had been told by people above not to pick him," said Angelini. "This is interference from the owner. It's not the first time it has happened because I know of similar situations involving other players at Hearts recently. As Anthony's agent, this is something I cannot condone.

"I think Anthony's future will be elsewhere now. He wants to stay with Hearts but I cannot see Romanov or his people coming back and wanting to sit round the table again." Basso's current two-year contract is not due to expire until summer 2009 but the club had indicated their intention to extend his stay.

Angelini maintains negotiations were at a very early stage and believes the treatment meted out to Basso is unwarranted. The former Auxerre player recorded clean sheets against Kilmarnock and Dundee United in recent weeks after Banks fell foul of a virus.

The agent spoke with representatives of Ukio Bankas Investment Group to outline his client's contract wishes but was then forced to reject what he clams was a derisory offer.

"When I speak to Hearts I always deal with different people, that makes everything more difficult. We did not want a big contract, we told them what we were looking for and they came back with their offer. It was refused and then Anthony is dropped.

"I know the people I speak to are only there to represent Romanov and that he will make the decisions."

Meanwhile, Calum Elliot has returned to training and should be available to face Inverness this weekend.