HEARTS last night confirmed that Georgian international Giorgi Popkhadze is in line to become Valdas Ivanauskas' first summer signing.

The 19-year-old Olympiakos player has arrived on trial at the club's Austrian training camp and is expected to be handed a chance in today's pre-season friendly against Slovakian outfit Spartak Trnava.

Popkhadze comes highly-recommended by Klaus Topmoller - the German coach who is in charge of the Georgian national team - and already has five full caps for his country. He can operate on the left side of midfield or defence and could be seen as a direct replacement for contract rebel Rudi Skacel, who failed to turn up for the Austria tour.

Should Popkhadze impress, Hearts would need to pay a fee to the Greek side for the young prospect, who is set to stay with Ivanauskas' squad until they return to Scotland next week.

Young central defender Craig Sives could be on his way out of Tynecastle after Partick Thistle manager Dick Campbell last night approached Hearts to take the player on trial.

"I've asked Hearts if they would consider allowing us to have Craig on loan for the coming season," said Campbell, a long-time admirer of the 20-year-old. "He is a strong presence in defence, has played twice for the Hearts first team and is someone that I would like to bring on board.

"We are currently in discussions and I think it's very likely that we will have him here for the duration of the season."

Meanwhile, Eduard Malofeev, the club's new 64-year-old sporting director, has started work and was present at yesterday's training session in Austria.

Taken from the Scotsman