Jefferies has eye on striker but asks Hearts fans to be patient

JIM JEFFERIES admitted today he has identified a striker to partner Kevin Kyle at Hearts but stressed that supporters must exercise patience with over five weeks left of the summer transfer window.

Although reluctant to divulge details on a prospective new signing, Jefferies revealed that the player in question is contracted to another club and that there is no guarantee of a deal being agreed.

Nonetheless, the manager is hopeful of reinforcing his attack before the transfer window closes at midnight on Tuesday, 31 August. "I've got somebody in mind, I've had him in mind for a wee while. He is at another club but he knows of our interest," said Jefferies. "That's something which may not be done for the start of the season.

"If we start the season and he feels a change is needed then we might be in with a shout of getting him. That one might not be ready for the start of the season. It might happen before the transfer window closes.

"I would like to get another striker and I'd like to get another midfield player.

"We have midfielders who can do the defensive side of things. What we need is somebody who likes to get beyond the strikers, a different type to what we've got. That's why Craig Bryson fitted the bill for us because we know him."

Hearts dispatched scouts to watch Leigh Griffiths in action last season but the player's representatives today denied having any contact with Tynecastle regarding the Dundee forward.