Hearts seal deals for two Argentines

Screpis and Gimenez arrived here in Walchsee last night and have been offered year-long contracts, each with the option of a further three years.

Screpis, 28, is a left-footed central midfielder who is available on a free transfer from Argentinian side Defensores de Belgrano. He is eligible to play in the UK as he has an Italian passport.

Gimenez is a 25-year-old former Argentina Under-20 internationalist. He is comfortable at left-back or left midfield and is also on a free transfer from Nueva Chicago, who were recently relegated to Argentina's Nacional B [second division]. He also has an Italian passport and previously played for Banfield, Newell's Old Boys and Italian side Pescara.

The new arrivals are the direct results of a scouting mission undertaken by club officials to South America. Alex Koslovski, Hearts' sport director, and director of infrastructure Pedro Lopez travelled to Argentina and Paraguay earlier this year to assess potential signing targets.

Lopez also flew to Chile during the trip to meet striker Mauricio Pinilla and discuss his return to Tynecastle.

Romanov was expected to arrive in Austria today ahead of the weekend match with Austria Vienna in the capital. He will assess the players personally during training sessions in Walchsee as well as hold discussions about the role of Eduard Malofeev.

Several players have complained at Malofeev's influence and training methods after the veteran Russian was placed in charge of Hearts' pre-season preparations.

Romanov has also been linked in Greece with a move for Aris Thessaloniki midfielder Ruben Palazuelos. The 24-year-old Spaniard is believed to have held preliminary talks about a move to Tynecastle.

Leicester have accepted a 50,000 bid from Hearts for midfielder Stephen Hughes.

The 24-year-old, who joined the Foxes from Rangers in January 2005, was placed on the transfer list soon after Martin Allen became boss at the Walkers Stadium in May. Allen said: "We have accepted an offer of 50,000 from Hearts for Stephen Hughes. He is currently in talks."

Hughes has made 69 appearances for Leicester in all competitions and scored seven goals.

Meanwhile, Hearts have recruited their second former Hibs employee inside a week with physio Malcolm Colquhoun arriving to replace the departed Andy Caldwell.

Colquhoun is working with the Tynecastle squad here in Austria after Caldwell left at the end of last season to take up a job opportunity in Wolverhampton. His appointment follows the arrival of former Hibs midfielder Michael Stewart at the weekend.

Colquhoun was head physio at Easter Road for seven years up until 2005 when he left to open a practice with former Hearts physio Alan Rae in Edinburgh's Stockbridge district. He will work at Riccarton on a part-time basis.