STENDEL IS HANDS-ON RECRUITING NEW BLOOD

HEARTS boss Daniel Stendel has confirmed he is playing a central role in the club’s January recruitment. After Craig Levein’s sacking in October, owner Ann Budge confirmed his right-hand man Austin McPhee would continue to work from home on transfer targets and video analysis. However, Stendel is now taking a more hands-on approach and this week made former Schalke attacker Donis Avdijaj his first signing. ‘For me, it’s a new experience that I’m so involved in transfers like I am at the moment,’ he said. ‘I was not involved as much (at Barnsley) as I am here. ‘On one side, it’s been a good experience because being near to the process is good when we don’t have so much time. ‘I know more about what’s really happening and what the job is for sporting directors when it comes to signing players or releasing players, although I am more involved in the process to bring players in.’ Stendel aims to add fresh firepower to a team who have scored the fourth fewest goals (18) in the Premiership this season after Kilmarnock and St Mirren (17 each) and St Johnstone (16). He has backed Avdijaj to hit the ground running but wants to add at least two more fresh faces before the end of January. ‘I hope and think Donis will help us be more ruthless,’ said Stendel ahead of tonight’s trip to Ross County. ‘We want to sign players with more skills in the opposition half — and Donis brings all of this. I hope he can help us win games very quickly. ‘It’s a good signing for us but also a good chance for him to show he is a really good player. ‘He is ready to play. We will decide on Wednesday together what will be best, whether he starts or comes on later. Stendel confirmed Steven Naismith and Conor Washington are fit after injuries, while Ryotaro Meshino is back from an international break in Japan.