HEARTS manager Csaba Laszlo has discussed a lengthy list of transfer targets with Vladimir Romanov after the Tynecastle majority shareholder flew into Germany before Wednesday's 6-0 win over a Rheingau select side. Laszlo said: "We have discussed some possibilities. We have a lot of names and maybe as soon as possible we can bring in some new players. But before we have anything clear, I don't like to talk about this."
Laszlo expects to make Uganda midfielder David Obua his first signing if he is granted a work permit. But the proposed switch for the 24-year-old is far from complete as Obua does not meet the required qualifications to be granted a UK permit.
Hav
ing been capped 22 times and an influential performer for Uganda, the left-sided player fulfils the legal requirement of appearing in 75 per cent of a country's competitive fixtures in the previous two years. But, additionally, that country must be within Fifa's top 70 ranking and Uganda are currently 97th. Hearts are therefore likely to have their initial application rejected and will have to appeal.
Obua, denied a debut as a trialist in Hearts' 6-0 win over a local Rheingau select on Wednesday due to a rib injury, is expected to learn his fate soon.
An SFA spokesman said: "If the player does not meet the work-permit criteria, and I don't think Uganda do, Hearts would have to appeal. They would have to request an appeal from the Border Agency, who gather the information and then advise us to accommodate an independent panel. It's usually made up of former players and representatives from the SFA and SPL."
There was good news over the left-sided player when X-rays showed his rib injury was not serious, and he could be in action in tonight's clash against Kaiserslautern.
Meanwhile, Deividas Cesnauskis has been given permission to fly home for a few days following the birth of his daughter.
The full article contains 335 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.