Hearts reject Mrowiec hopes to win back place in squad

Polish midfielder Adrian Mrowiec hopes to secure a return to Hearts after being deemed surplus to requirements by his club, Arka Gdynia.

The 26-year-old returned to Riccarton today on trial 12 months after departing Edinburgh for the Polish Ekstraklasa side.

Although he played regularly for Arka towards the end of last season, he has been informed that his future lies elsewhere.

Mrowiec spent season 2008/09 on loan at Tynecastle from FBK Kaunas of Lithuania and is hopeful of brokering a similar arrangement this time provided he can impress manager Jim Jefferies.

He will be assessed this week and, with Jefferies seeking midfield reinforcements, the manager will also be mindful of Mrowiec's versatility as a player who can operate effectively in central defence.

Also joining the Hearts squad for pre-season training is former Lithuanian youth internationalist Rytis Leliuga, on trial from the Danish club HB Koge.

"Adrian is well known to the club having been here before. He had some injury problems but has gone away and played regularly in Poland so I'll have a look at him," said Jefferies.

Leliuga, 23, has previous experience of British football having been on the books at Exeter City during season 2005/06.

He also represented the Norwegian club Bryne and is seen as an attacking midfielder who can play as a striker and who possesses sound technique and physical strength.

"The other lad has been recommended to us so we'll see about him," continued Jefferies.

"He's joining a (Hearts] team going to the tournament in Oban this weekend which will be a mixture of young players and reserve lads. If the reports are good we might have a look at him in Italy (at the pre-season camp in Il Cioccio] for a couple of days."