Hearts sign Kaunas striker Razulis to cover for injured Kevin Kyle

Although manager Jim Jefferies is hopeful of having Kyle available to face Hamilton on Saturday week following recent groin problems, 6ft 3in Razulis has arrived as a potential deputy.

The 24-year-old played for Latvian club Skonto Riga on loan earlier this season and has also represented Kaunas, meaning Hearts had to check FIFA rules which prevent players playing for more than two teams in a single campaign. Since the Latvian and Lithuanian leagues both overlap Scotland's, running from spring to late autumn, the move was ratified.

Jefferies said: "I had the chance to bring him here and I thought it was a good idea to have a look at him in case Kevin Kyle was to be out for any length of time.

"We're hopeful Kevin will be fit for Hamilton if he doesn't make the game against Rangers tonight but Evaldas is a big, strong striker in a similar style to Kevin. He's a bit short of match fitness at the moment but we'll get the chance to have a look at him over the next few weeks and he might be able to do us a turn."