Fridrikas eyes Vlad talks over possible Hearts switch

FBK KAUNAS defender Mantas Fridrikas will seek discussions with Vladimir Romanov over a prospective move to Hearts when the Russian entrepreneur returns from a family holiday this weekend.

Fridrikas, 20, is keen to leave Lithuania to further develop his career abroad. Following talk that a trial period at Riccarton is in the pipeline he is eager to speak with Romanov, whose Ukio Bankas Investment Group finances both Kaunas and Hearts.

Romanov returns to Lithuania on Saturday following his family's traditional New Year break and Fridrikas hopes to gain clarity on his future with a face-to-face meeting.

Speaking exclusively to the Evening News, he said: "Nobody has told me when I will come to Edinburgh so I have no idea. Maybe it will happen this month, next month or maybe in summer. I hope it is this month but Mr Romanov is on holiday now. When he comes back I will try to talk with him.

"Maybe he will come and speak to me about Scotland and about Hearts. I want to play in another country, Scotland or somewhere else. I like the UK and it would be good to play there. I know about Hearts, I know the squad is very good, they have a good trainer and the atmosphere is very good right now."

The Kaunas squad returned to training on Monday following the Lithuanian winter break, and Fridrikas is determined to improve his fitness in anticipation of leaving the A Lyga for pastures new.

"I want to get fit, improve my form and then move to play in a better club, maybe in Scotland. I don't know whether it will happen now or later but I want to be ready," he said.

Hearts travel to Fir Park this evening for a rescheduled SPL fixture in which Calum Elliot could return to first-team duty following a successful loan at Livingston. Christos Karipidis and Larry Kingston are major doubts but Polish midfielder Adrian Mrowiec returns to the squad.

Having incurred the wrath of Motherwell supporters during a previous loan spell in Lanarkshire, Elliot believes he has much to prove after also enduring criticism from Hearts fans last season.

"It will be interesting to see who I get the better reception from," he said. "Although I'll probably get some stick, I'll have to try and ignore it.

"If the Hearts fans are behind me then I can do the business if I get a chance. In a way, I maybe have to prove them wrong now. As a young boy it was difficult to hear some of the stick. Hopefully, it's made me stronger."

Elliot will miss Hearts' league matches against Kilmarnock and Inverness on January 17 and 24 respectively after incurring a two-match suspension while at Livingston.

Hearts manager Csaba Laszlo revealed that Bruno Aguiar may be available for Sunday's Scottish Cup Edinburgh derby at Easter Road.

The influential Portuguese has missed the last two matches with a hamstring complaint.