Hearts owner gives green light for new stars

VLADIMIR ROMANOV is prepared to sanction further strengthening of Hearts' squad before the new SPL season begins having agreed with manager Jim Jefferies that the club require "another couple" of signings.

Jefferies, Romanov and club director Sergejus Fedotovas all believe that their current group of players harbour genuine potential following the captures of Darren Barr from Falkirk and Kevin Kyle from Kilmarnock. Nonetheless, the intention is for up to two more new recruits, with midfielders the primary targets.

"I'd like to have another couple," Jefferies told the Evening News. "I've spoken to Sergey and Mr Romanov and I think they agree. I've heard good things about Adrian Mrowiec from his time here before.

I think he's still a Kaunas player so I've said bring him over and I'll have a look at him because I've had good reports about him."

Mrowiec is on trial at Riccarton this week alongside the former Lithuanian youth internationalist Rytis Leliuga. Jefferies is interested in both Paul Hartley and Craig Bryson to reinforce his midfield but will exercise patience to ensure Hearts do not pay inflated transfer fees for players under contract with other clubs.

The manager stressed he is more than satisfied with the co-operation from Romanov and Fedotovas regarding summer recruitment. "I've got no complaints on that," he continued. "I keep in touch on a regular basis with Sergey and I went to see Mr Romanov at the end of last season. We assessed the plans and so far everything is fine."

Jefferies has confirmed Kyle will not travel to Italy for Hearts' pre-season training camp after receiving an injection to calm inflammation in an abductor muscle injury. Kyle underwent an operation last month to cure the problem but consulted his surgeon in Bradford on Wednesday after feeling discomfort.

"He's just overdone it a little bit so he won't be joining us in Italy, there's simply no point," said the manager. "He'll have a rest, get fit and then be ready to get back to work once we return next weekend."