Hearts consider strike role for Adrian

He could choose to replace Nade with Calum Elliot, who has played only sporadically since returning from a loan spell at Livingston in January. Mike Tullberg may offer another option if he returns from Denmark this week, although the manager is reluctant to throw him directly into the side following a long-term thigh injury.

Laszlo is therefore toying with the idea of deploying the 6ft 3in Mrowiec as a target man at Tannadice.

"Against Dundee United we have a big problem because Christian Nade cannot play," said the Hungarian. "We are looking for a solution but this season we have had so many changes. If we have more changes I don't think it will be a problem because everybody knows what I want.

"For Tullberg to play he must be working with the team and I must see his physical fitness. It would not be a good decision to put him directly into the team. On the bench we have Elliot, we also have Gary Glen, these are young players who could replace Nade in the striker position.

"We also have other possibilities, for example Mrowiec. In previous years I know he was a good striker before he dropped back to the number six position. I always try to have a new solution but, at the moment, it is not easy with players out and in all the time."

Tullberg has yet to reappear at Riccarton after tearing a quad muscle for the second time last October. Sources close to the player have confirmed that his rehabilitation is progressing positively. Hearts will also be without Larry Kingston at Tannadice after he sustained a hamstring injury in the weekend draw with St Mirren. He will undergo a scan to determine the full extent of the problem, but Christos Karipidis should be available after missing the St Mirren match with a virus.

Rueing the loss of Nade, Laszlo also said he found the SFA disciplinary system difficult to comprehend. Association rules state that suspensions do not take effect until 14 days after they are incurred, meaning the Frenchman played against St Mirren despite breaking through the 18-point barrier the previous week against Aberdeen, and is now precluded against Dundee United.

"Nade got a yellow card against Aberdeen, he can play against St Mirren but not against Dundee United. This is a difficult system to comprehend."

FORMER Hearts head coach Valdas Ivanauskas has been appointed coach of the Lithuanian Under-21 side and will combine the role with club duties at second division FK Banga.

Taken from the Scotsman