Kazakhstan winger Islam Chesnokov could arrive at Tynecastle in the next few days, according to head coach Derek McInnes.
The player signed a pre-contract with the Edinburgh club last June with the hope that he can add both pace and flair to the forward line.
Currently, the Jambos sports science staff are in regular contact with the player who is undergoing a fitness regime prior to jetting in.
McInnes hopes that the paperwork is clear soon and that the player is fit enough physically to take some part in the home clash with bottom club, Livingston, on January 3 (15.00) at Tynecastle.
This news comes hard on the heels of the victory over Rangers at Tynecastle on Sunday when Claudio Braga suffered an ankle injury.
He is receiving treatment to lessen the swelling around the joint but McInnes is confident the Portugal-born player can take part in Saturday’s Capital derby with Hibs at Easter Road.
Craig Halkett (pictured in training by Nigel Duncan), who sat out the clash with the Ibrox side, was involved in extensive work with the club’s physio department in midweek and he is making progress.
Calem Nieuwenhof, one of the long-term injury concerns, is continuing treatment along with Finlay Pollock, and Ageu was back training on the grass at Riccarton this week, but Harry Milne, who missed the Rangers game through suspension, is back in contention for a slot in the side.
The head coach could not say anything about reports linking the William Hill Premiership pace-setters with Dutch defender, Jordi Altena, currently with RKC Waalwijk.
The fee mentioned in reports is around £500,000 for the 22-year-old and McInnes confirmed Hearts and keen to strengthen the squad further in the January window.
He added: “We are looking to come out of the window stronger and hopefully you can understand that it is difficult for me to comment on any of the player we are linked with.
“We are hoping to get Islam here in the coming days and he is doing the programme we set and it has been a long time coming, this one.”
He will hopefully be in Scotland, said McInnes, to take some part in the game against Livingston but he conceded: “For all that to play out it might be a big ask.”
