Kari Arnason has view to a Hearts deal

Icelandic international midfielder Kari Arnason will join Hearts at their pre-season training camp in Italy with a view to winning a contract at Tynecastle.

Arnason, who left Plymouth Argyle in acrimonious circumstances this week, will link up with countryman Eggert Jonsson but will have his sights firmly on impressing Jim Jefferies during next week's stay in Tuscany.

The combative 28-year-old, who can also play at centre back, made 40 League One appearances for the Devon club last season, scoring once and receiving ten yellow and two red cards. Despite becoming a fans favourite at Home Park, 6ft 3ins Arnason is reported to have not been paid since October and is estimated to be owed around 60,000 as Argyle face severe financial trouble. His reluctance to agree to a deferment of another pay packet is thought to be the reason for his departure from the club.

Should he fit into Jefferies' plans for the new season and sign a deal with the Gorgie club, Arnason, who has won 17 caps for his country, will benefit from being able to gel with the current Jambos squad for a week. Said Jefferies, who will lead his squad to the Il Ciocco complex tomorrow: "It's massive, spending a week with the players - that's a big plus."