Hearts hope players" late wages will arrive today UNPAID Hearts players have held preliminary talks with PFA Scotland, the footballers" union, but are hopeful this month's wage delay will be the last. Six of the club's top earners, as well as manager John McGlynn, were not paid October's salaries, due on Tuesday, prompting dialogue with the union. It is the second successive month that Hearts have only been able to partially pay their first-team squad, with September's pay-day arriving four days late for several members of staff. It is thought that the unpaid players were made aware ahead of time that there was a high possibility they would have another wait for their wages, and are willing to remain patient. The players affected are optimistic that the overdue monies will arrive by close of business this afternoon, although no concrete assurances have been made. The understanding attitude within the dressing room owes much to the belief, among the staff, that monthly wage problems will not become a regular occurrence this term. Indeed, it is hoped the current crisis will be the last. Such faith is admirable, if optimistic, as Hearts salaries have been behind schedule in seven of the past 12 months. Hearts players are also acutely aware that any official complaint to the league could increase the chance of a heavy sanction, including the possibility of a points deduction - potentially leading to a relegation dogfight. Nevertheless, the SPL board will discuss the situation on Monday morning to decide what punishments, if any, should be levied upon the Tynecastle club. Hearts" wage difficulty is largely due to the desire of majority shareholder, Vladimir Romanov, to make the club self-sufficient, having vowed to cease bankrolling the club last year.