Csaba Laszlo laughed off rumours he resigned as Hearts boss after Saturday's defeat to St Johnstone.

The club were forced to deny Laszlo had quit following the 2-1 Clydesdale Bank Premier League loss at Tynecastle.

"It is okay, I am still here," Laszlo joked when told about the mounting speculation in the aftermath of the Saints clash.

"I am still doing my job and working hard for the Kilmarnock game coming up this weekend.

"It is business as usual as far as I am concerned.

"The most important thing is to look forward and get the results to take us up the table."

Laszlo, who has become increasingly frustrated this season with the tools at his disposal, held a 10-minute discussion with owner Vladimir Romanov over the phone immediately after Saturday's game.

The call made Laszlo late for his post-match press briefing where he looked resigned, stressing he wanted talks with the board - chiefly to secure the two strikers he covets in the January transfer window.

The club insisted afterwards he has not quit after the rumour mill began.

Laszlo, who has a number of players injured and wants more from those fit, took Hearts to third place in his first season in charge last term.

But having lost a host of key faces in the summer and being unable to adequately replace them, the former Uganda coach is becoming increasingly despondent as the Jambos flirt with a relegation battle - even touting himself for the vacant Scotland job last week.

Laszlo's striking options are set to improve after David Templeton returned to training today.

The forward has been laid low by illness for the past fortnight but went through his paces this morning with the rest of his team-mates.

The 20-year-old could come into contention for Saturday's clash with Kilmarnock, although the trip to Hamilton the following weekend may be a more realistic target.

Templeton was sidelined during the summer with a broken foot and recently feared he had suffered a similar injury after being hurt in training, but the problem turned out not to be serious.

Calum Elliot is also on the road back to fitness after his lengthy spell out following knee surgery.

Laszlo told his club's official website, www.heartsfc.co.uk: "This is positive for us.

"We will take things slowly with the players who are coming back. It has not been easy for Calum Elliot and David Templeton but they are getting better now and looking forward with confidence."