Jefferies ready to strengthen squad

20 May 2010 15:31
Hearts manager Jim Jefferies has been given the green light by majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov to step up his search for new players.[LNB] And top of the Jambos boss's wish-list are strikers and midfielders as he seeks to strengthen ahead of the new season.[LNB]Jefferies is now back in Edinburgh following a meeting with Romanov in Lithuania, where both men agreed that strengthening those areas of the team was a priority.[LNB]"I said previously I would sit down at the end of the season and make a decision about players moving on and players coming in and all the talks with Mr Romanov went well," Jefferies told Hearts News.[LNB]"There is a nucleus of a very good side here and it just needs strengthening in certain areas.[LNB]"We agreed that the priority is to strengthen the first team and we are looking to do that.[LNB]"We agreed the areas we need to look at are midfield and up front and moves have been made to talk to people.[LNB]"We are discussing things with players at the moment and continue to look for the right options.[LNB]"I have talked to Mr Romanov and Sergei [Fedotovas] about targets and they were happy to give me the go ahead to try to sign them.[LNB]"We still have to agree terms and we shall look for other appropriate options. I won't go into detail about our targets until we have their names on the dotted line."[LNB]Four players - Jose Goncalves, Christian Nade, Laryea Kingston and Michael Stewart - have been released by the club.[LNB]Jefferies added: "We have a very clear plan of where we want to take the club and the players required to take us there.[LNB]"This will be a mix of quality, experienced players blended with some of the best young talent in the country.[LNB]"We do have a good core squad at the moment but we will continue to look for new talent.[LNB]"As part of this process, a review of our existing squad has led to us releasing certain players.[LNB]"I have no doubt it will become very clear to supporters that every decision we make will put the club first and every player at Hearts will have a direct responsibility in contributing to the success of this club."

Source: Team_Talk