Hearts poised to snap up Lithuanian

HEARTS were today ready to add to their Lithuanian contingent by signing midfielder Marius Zaliukas from FBK Kaunas.

The 22-year-old was set to arrive in Edinburgh this morning with Jambos coach Valdas Ivanauskas hoping to find a place for his countryman on the bench against Falkirk at Tynecastle this afternoon.

Ivanuaskas is keen to bolster his midfield with star man Paul Hartley - still working his way back to full fitness from a groin injury - sorely missed in the Champions League qualifying defeat to AEK Athens in midweek.

Zaliuakas played as a trialist in Hearts' 2-0 friendly win against Osasuna at Murrayfield last month, and also turned out for Kaunas in their UEFA Cup defeat to Danish side FC Randers on Thursday.

While Zaliukas was looking to tie up a deal today, Hearts admitted that the 'World Cup stars' promised by owner Vladimir Romanov are now unlikely to sign for the club.

Ivanauskas said: "We've not forgotten about these players but there is now only a small chance they will come here."

And while unwilling to identify Zaliukas as the player jetting in to the Capital today, the Tynecastle coach did admit: "You will know the player we are bringing and he's a midfielder who can also play in defence. He's a good player and we need the options he provides."

Taken from the Scotsman