Stars queue up for medical at Tynie

PHIL ANDERTON today admitted that a lengthening queue has formed outside the Tynecastle medical office as a number of players are being put through examinations prior to signing for Hearts.

Czech strikers Michal Pospisil and Roman Bednar are near the front of the line and could be formally unveiled by Anderton tomorrow, whilst negotiations are at an advanced stage with representatives of the Senegalese defender Ibrahim Tall.

Hearts have targeted the African, who plays in France for Sochaux, and it is believed Anderton and manager George Burley will ultimately choose between him and PSV Eindhoven defender Michael Lamey to be the newest member of their back line.

After the capture of Edgaras Jankauskas yesterday, Anderton aims to proceed with a number of other signings in the coming days whilst Burley prepares his expanding squad for the opening match of the SPL season at Kilmarnock on Saturday.

"Medicals are being done at the moment," said Anderton. "There are quite a few of them going through at the one time as we hope to tie players up. We are in negotiations with several players, some are more progressed than others and things are at different stages.

"But we intend to have some more big announcements very soon.

"We are still working on our targets and are looking to get them in before the weekend, or at least as many of them as possible.

"The more players we can bring in then the better for George Burley, but I stress again that those who come in must be of the right calibre."

Jankauskas certainly falls into that category, and the giant striker will lead the Hearts attack at Kilmarnock on Saturday as manager George Burley prepares to let his high-profile new signing loose on the SPL at the first opportunity.

Jankauskas has been told by his new manager to prepare for leading the line at Rugby Park, possibly alongside another new signing in either Pospisil or Bednar should the Czechs pass their medicals as expected.

Burley was delighted to secure the powerful Lithuanan striker from Porto after the player signed for FBK Kaunas in his homeland and was immediately loaned by Vladimir Romanov to Hearts for the season.

With striking options an absolute minimum, Burley is simply relieved to have an option other than that of deploying Dennis Wyness as a lone attacker.

"I will put Edgaras in on Saturday, even though he is not fully fit," said Burley. "With his experience he can handle it and can maybe give us that little bit of extra craft up front."

Taken from the Scotsman