BY ALAN TEMPLE – Capital City Press
Hearts are weighing up a swoop for former Belgian youth internationalist Arnaud Djoum as they seek to bolster their midfield options.
The 26-year-old has been training at the Jambos’ Riccarton base this week as he attempts to win a deal with the capital club.
He is a free agent after leaving Lech Poznan in the close season, where he played alongside Scottish defender Barry Douglas and helped them claim the Polish league title.
Djoum, who has been capped for Belgium at under-19 and under-20 level despite being born in Cameroon, has also been on the books of FC Brussels, Anderlecht, Roda JC and Turkish outfit Akhisar Belediyespor.
The Jambos completed the signing of Danny Swanson last week but head coach Robbie Neilson and director of football Craig Levein still feel they are short on numbers
Meanwhile, Hearts midfielder Miguel Pallardo is in line to make his first start of the season against Aberdeen on Sunday.
The classy Spaniard has not started a match for the Jambos since last season’s 2-2 draw against Rangers at Tynecastle as he recovers from a persistent Achilles complaint.
He was on the bench in last Friday’s 2-0 defeat against Inverness but was not risked, with 17-year-old Sean McKirdy given his maiden start for the capital club instead.
However, Pallardo has played a full part in training this week and is pushing for a place in the starting line-up. The return of the former Valencia and Levante man could prove timely, with the availability of Morgaro Gomis uncertain.
The experienced midfielder has not trained this week due a family bereavement – albeit head coach Robbie Neilson has not yet ruled the Senegal internationalist out.
