Jambos boss out to bolster midfield

Hearts boss Jim Jefferies admits signing a midfielder is now as much of a priority as bringing in a striker at Tynecastle. Jambos boss Jefferies this week confirmed Stewart, Kingston, defender Jose Goncalves and forward Christian Nade will not be at Tynecastle next season.All four are out of contract and are among the biggest earners at the club, who are determined to slash their wage bill."Michael Stewart has moved on and it looks like Larry has moved on as well so that's a couple from the midfield we have lost," Jefferies told Hearts.TV."Ryan Stevenson has done extremely well for us since he came in and he could be a big player for us next year."We have Ian Black and Ruben Palazuelos but maybe another midfield player to take the place of Larry and Michael would be useful and we are certainly looking at a couple of options there."We are also looking at strikers and competition for places would be good."Jefferies may look at testing Ryan McGowan in midfield, with the youngster due to return to Hearts this summer following a loan deal with Ayr United."Ryan has caught my eye a couple times playing at right-back for Ayr but people say his best position is in midfield so we'll have a look at him," said Jefferies."He will certainly be a useful addition to the squad."Club captain Stewart was also axed following a bust-up with Jefferies and is reportedly holding talks with Turkish club Genclerbirligi.Fellow midfielder Kingston this week admitted his Jambos career was probably over, while Nade's days at Tynecastle looked numbered after he was hit with a final warning by Jefferies following a dressing-room altercation with team-mate Black.Defender Goncalves was offered a new deal, which he rejected, causing him to be frozen out of the team.

Source: Team_Talk