Striker Touray on trial but Levein admits Djoum might leave

land a contract with Hearts, Levein admits Cameroon internationalist Djoum is keen to pursue a lucrative move away from the club when his contract expires at the end of the campaign.

The 29-year-old, who has made no secret of his desire to play in one of Europe’s top five leagues, is stalling on signing fresh terms with the Edinburgh side.

The 2017 African Cup of Nations winners has made more than 100 domestic appearances for Hearts since joining from Lech Poznan in September 2017.

Levein said: “Djoum might leave in the summer. He’s at an age where he wants to get one last big contract in his professional career.

“I understand we can’t afford to pay him the sort of money he’s looking for. But I see him still being here until the summer, for sure.

“You never know in football. I’d like him to stay longer but right at this minute in time I don’t think we can afford it.”

Confirming Touray’s trial, Levein said: “We are looking at a young Spanish striker. I am using the fact we are over here in Spain to have a look at him.”

Hearts midfielder Peter Haring, meanwhile, is facing up to six weeks on the sidelines after undergoing a double hernia operation on Monday.

The Austrian, who has deputised as captain in the absence of Christophe Berra and Steven Naismith, has been plagued by the problem since last October but was able to hold off surgery until the start of the winter break. Haring, who initially joined the club as a defender from SV Reid but has since established himself in the middle of the park, is regarded as one of Levein’s best signings of last summer. The 25-year-old was forced off after 54 minutes in the December 29 victory at city rivals Hibs and Levein said after the match that Haring had been “filling himself with antiinflammatories and painkillers” to get himself through games.

Haring, who has scored six goals this season, is set to miss the Scottish Cup visit of Livingston on January 20 and Premiership home clashes with Dundee and St Johnstone later in the month.

Levein said: “He’s good. The operation was successful and the recovery time for that is four to six weeks.

“I’m hoping it’s closer to four because he is an important player for us, but the operation went well and that’s the main thing.”

‘‘ I’d like Djoum to stay longer but I dont think we can afford

it