Hearts sweat on Rogers Mato workload as Wouter Vrancken fears Uganda overuse

Hearts are keeping a close eye on Rogers Mato’s involvement with Uganda as manager Wouter Vrancken hopes the forward is given a break during the final stages of the international window.

Mato has already featured in both of Uganda’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Tunisia and Libya, scoring against the Tunisians, and earned his 43rd international cap on Tuesday.

His workload has now become a particular concern for Hearts, with Uganda scheduled to face DR Congo in back-to-back friendlies in South Africa, the first today and the second on Monday.

Vrancken is delighted to see six Hearts first-team players representing their countries but is wary of the physical demands placed on them during an increasingly congested football calendar.

Josh McPake, James Wilson, Sabah Kerjota, Aron Benjaminsen, Landry Kabore and Mato are all away on international duty, with the Hearts management team monitoring their involvement ahead of the return to club football.

Vrancken raises Mato concern

While McPake and Kerjota are yet to feature for Scotland and Albania respectively, the other four have already seen action.

Wilson scored in Scotland Under-21s’ 5-2 victory over Azerbaijan on Wednesday, while Benjaminsen made his senior international debut for the Faroe Islands against Moldova on Tuesday after stepping up from their Under-21 side.

Kabore has featured as a substitute for Burkina Faso in their AFCON qualifiers against Benin and the Central African Republic, while Mato has been Uganda’s regular attacking option during the window.

Vrancken is particularly keen for Uganda coach Paul Put to manage Mato’s minutes, given the Hearts forward has already played twice during the break.

“These days, the football schedule everywhere is getting heavier and heavier,” said the Tynecastle head coach.

“When you see all the Nations League games already, you see a lot of injuries. Let’s hope nobody from Hearts is added to this list.”

Vrancken also pointed to McPake and Kerjota as players who could still receive opportunities before the international window closes.

“Josh has not played. Maybe he can play in one of Scotland’s next games. Same for Sabah with Albania. With Mato, I hope he doesn’t have to play every game for Uganda.”

Hearts welcome international exposure

Despite his concerns over workload, Vrancken sees considerable value in having his players involved at international level.

The Hearts boss believes positive experiences with their respective national teams can strengthen the players’ confidence before they return to Tynecastle.

“I’m happy to see the players play with their national teams. When you do well with your national team and you have a good feeling there, then you bring it back to your club.”

He added: “All of the guys who are away with their national teams were already feeling pretty confident. They had a good vibe and good intensity.”

Vrancken hopes that confidence and intensity will benefit Hearts when their players return to club duty.

“Let’s hope they can bring some extras here to Hearts and I don’t doubt they will do that. We hope they can extend their good performances here.”

Uganda have options to rotate Mato

Hearts’ hopes of seeing Mato rested could receive a boost from Uganda’s decision to introduce several new players during the international window.

Nathan Asiimwe and Noble Okello made their international debuts against Tunisia last week, while Arnold Vula and Kelvin Boateng received their first caps against Libya.

Abdoulaye Sissako, David Akpan Udoh, Dieudonne Gaucho Debohi, Souleymane Diaby and Kingdom Osayi are also among the players who could feature against DR Congo.

That gives Put an opportunity to assess fresh options during the two friendlies while potentially reducing the burden on players such as Mato.

Put confirmed that the fixtures would provide an opportunity to experiment, although he stopped short of revealing his team selection.

“We have two friendlies in South Africa against DR Congo. We can try things out,” he said.

“Positivity between old and new ones. Let’s wait and everyone will know who is going to play.”