By Brian McLauchlin

Jefferies is on the look out for new recruits at Tynecastle

Jim Jefferies is preparing for big changes in personnel at Hearts.

Jose Goncalves, Michael Stewart and Laryea Kingston are among those soon to be out of contract at Tynecastle.

And the manager said: "It's going to be a busy summer. The phone will always be on because you never know when a player may become available.

"I have been inundated by agents regarding players but as yet I have made only one move for a player and I don't know yet if that will come off."

Jefferies has spoken of his desire to add more firepower to his squad and has been linked with striker Kevin Kyle.

When pressed on the player he had made an approach for, Jefferies initially refused to be drawn but eventually confirmed that it was not the Kilmarnock player.

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Hearts end the season at home to Celtic on Sunday and Jefferies is likely to field a few fringe players, having missed out on the race for a place in Europe.

"I will not risk players like Ian Black who is only one booking away from a three-match ban," said the manager.

Eggert Jonsson and Ismael Bouzid are already facing bans at the start of next season and Suso Santana and Ryan Stevenson may also be rested to avoid the risk of a similar fate.

Midfielder Ruben Palazuelos also misses out after undergoing knee surgery.

"He's had a minor operation to get something sorted out," explained Jefferies.

"He had that done on Thursday to give him enough time to recover in the summer for the pre-season ahead.

"I think it was a small cyst on the knee."

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