Hearts want to hold on to Adrian Mrowiec

ADRIAN MROWIEC will remain with Hearts for the new season after manager Jim Jefferies confirmed that the Polish midfielder deserves a place in his squad following a four-week trial period.

Jefferies told the Evening News today that the 26-year-old has impressed him sufficiently to earn a contract for the forthcoming campaign. He will most likely be loaned to Hearts from FBK Kaunas of Lithuania, who currently hold the player's contract.

Mrowiec has started all of Hearts' pre-season games to date and played 58 minutes of last night's friendly against Wolves at Tynecastle.

"He's part of a squad here," said Jefferies. "He's on loan from Kaunas and he's been here before. I need a squad of players and he's a big, strong lad. There's no guarantees of a game for anybody so I've told him it's just about how he performs. But we'll certainly be keeping hold of him because you can't do it with 11, 12 or 13 players. He certainly has the physical presence to compete in the Premier League so he'll be staying with us."

Jefferies also revealed that Hearts are presently in negotiations with an unnamed striker who could arrive before the season starts. David Obua has suffered a torn hamstring and may now miss the SPL opener against St Johnstone on Saturday week, thus intensifying the need for attacking reinforcements.

"Obua's got a wee tear in his hamstring. We were hoping to have him available last night but it looks like he might be struggling even to make the St Johnstone game," continued Jefferies.

"We just have to wait and see how he progresses. He might be okay but we don't know yet.

"We've been negotiating for a couple of weeks with a striker. We're closer than we were a fortnight ago and I'd like to get him in for Saturday. If not, it might be the week after that.

"With Kevin Kyle being out, I think we need someone. Calum Elliot has played three consecutive friendly matches now without a reaction to his knee, so that's a positive. Gary Glen is injured but he's trying to establish himself with his confidence again. Obua isn't an out-and-out striker as such so we need somebody different.

"There aren't many going about like John Robertson but we want someone who can hold the ball in and twist and turn. That's why I tried to get Robbie Blake here before he went to Bolton. I know he's experienced and he was keen to come. It's that type of player I want who can take a ball in the box and twist and turn.

"We are encouraged by this opportunity but we'll wait till we get things on the dotted line before we give anything away."