Ridgers needs a game

Last updated : 23 May 2010 By TwoTonTed
Mark Ridgers will be allowed to move on loan next season to keep him up to scratch as Marian Kello, Jamie MacDonald and Janos Balogh to do battle for the first team number one jersey at Tynecastle. Ridgers was with East Fife for a loan spell last season where he managed to get four games under his belt. However, he suffered from lack of real action while at Riccarton due to the absence of an SPL reserve league. The Tynecastle coaching staff are keen to see him continue his development so he will be farmed out to gain more first-team experience.

With Kello close to signing a new contract to stay with Hearts, manager Jim Jefferies expects an intriguing contest between the three first-team keepers. He said: "With no reserve league, I think it's important you keep a third goalie in case one gets injured. You always have to take three with you on a Saturday so there will be good competition for places. They will all start on an even keel at the start of the season. You can only play one but you do need the three of them. Mark Ridgers has not played a lot. He will get over his injury and then we'll look to try and get him some experience by putting him out on loan."