Hearts boss wants duo to prove they are worth it

JIM JEFFERIES today attempted to move on from the Paul Hartley transfer episode by challenging Hearts trialists Adrian Mrowiec and Kari Arkivuo to prove themselves worthy of a contract against Dunfermline this evening.

Both players will feature in the pre-season friendly at East End Park, with Jefferies eager to assess their suitability for his squad. The manager saw a prospective two-year deal for Hartley collapse over the weekend and remains in the market for midfielders.

"We're looking at tonight as an opportunity for some," he said. "We have the Finnish lad who will get a run out, so we'll have to make a judgment on him. He will play, as will Mrowiec to let us have a look at him. We haven't decided on either of them.

"Mrowiec was here before and has come back over. He's still a Kaunas player and he's been here for a couple of weeks now. We saw him during the closed-door game in Italy but we'll get another look at him tonight."

On Hartley, Jefferies added: "He was one of a number of players we were interested in. We have some inquiries going on elsewhere. The club made a decision and we just move on."

Jefferies admitted Hearts have been contacted regarding the 22-year-old Dutch midfielder Jonathan de Guzman, who left Feyenoord on freedom of contract in May and is being pursued by the Spanish club Real Mallorca. He stressed no official move has been made by the Edinburgh club. "There are about six Dutchmen on my table, as well as lots of other nationalities," he added. "I have about two dozen names on my desk. I've seen that player's name but there's nothing been done.

"We still have a couple of inquiries going on for other players and we haven't heard anything back. It's ideal if you can get people in for the start of the season but the transfer window doesn't finish until the end of August."

Having trained yesterday for the first time since undergoing abductor surgery last month, recent signing Kevin Kyle may require another minor operation and could miss the start of the SPL season.

"It's just something that needs strengthened, so that might mean minor surgery," explained Jefferies. "It wouldn't be like the operation he had before. He's had his hernia done and I'm led to believe there's a little bit of weakening so they're just going to tighten it up. It will hold him back a week, maybe two, but it's nothing serious."

Lee Wallace will not be risked against Dunfermline as he recovers from a calf tear but Hearts are confident he will be fit to feature during the two-game trip to England later this week. Ruben Palazuelos has sustained a thigh strain and twisted knee and will also miss out. Jamie MacDonald will play the entire match in goal this evening, with Janos Balogh taking over for Thursday's friendly with Gillingham and Marian Kello starting against Millwall on Saturday.