Following delays in delivery of player salaries in each of the last three months, Hearts face the prospect of unlimited sanctions should they fail to meet the SPL's demands and pay wages on schedule today.

Hearts have until midnight tonight to make the payment, with disciplinary action triggered if they miss the deadline.

It is understood payment must be made by Lithuanian bank UBIG, controlled by Hearts owner Vladimir Romanov, by 3pm GMT this afternoon, with any delay meaning the transaction will not be completed today.

Hearts' turmoil off the field has not been replicated on it.

Since the first team squad instructed players' union PFA Scotland to make a formal complaint on December 16, Hearts have won five in their recent six-match unbeaten run.

Their December pay was received on January 4, the day an SPL sub-committee adjudicated over the dispute between the players and Hearts, ordering the club to comply to a number of orders - including timely delivery of January's salaries.