Hearts: JJ taken with battling skills of Mrowiec

• Adrian Mrowiec wants to earn a long-term contract with Hearts. Picture: Ian Georgeson

Mrowiec underwent a rigorous training camp with Hearts at Il Ciocco last week and is hopeful of convincing Jefferies he deserves to be offered another loan contract having spent season 2008/09 in Edinburgh.

"He looks fit but I won't judge him till we get into the games," Jefferies told the Evening News.

"I said we would have a look at him when the games started but he wanted to get himself fit so I said he could come with us to Italy. So far, he looks an athlete and has done very well in training. It's better to judge people when you see them in games, so that's what we'll do.

"I've heard he's played right-back and centre-forward for Hearts, but I'm looking at him in his best position. He likes to play as a solid, strong midfield player. He likes to get about people, win the ball and give it to people who can get forward. He's probably a similar type to Stefano Salvatori, getting about people, winning tackles and setting people on their way."

Because Mrowiec is contracted to FBK Kaunas, who like Hearts are financed by Vladimir Romanov's Ukio Bankas Investment Group, Jefferies is under no pressure to make a decision. "There's no rush, he's a Kaunas player so that's an advantage but I just haven't seen him play yet," he continued. "I've heard he's an honest type, hard-working who competes well and is a strong boy.

"You need a bit of strength in the SPL so he might be of benefit to us but we can't make that decision yet. We will take as long as we can."