Adam Virgo has worked with Mark McGhee before

McGhee worked with the 24-year-old at Brighton before selling him to Celtic for �1.5 million two years ago.

"I have spoken to Gordon Strachan initially about Adam and there seemed to be a willingness to consider a loan deal," McGhee told The Scotsman.

"We also have to respect Adam, who will be going back to Celtic with ambitions to play for them this year."

Injury and poor form restricted Virgo to just 12 appearances during his first season at Celtic Park.

Last term he was farmed out to Coventry City on loan but injuries struck again to limit his impact at the Ricoh Arena.

I have been talking to Leicester City and to Stephen Hughes' representatives Mark McGhee

McGhee is also tracking Leicester City midfielder Stephen Hughes and a possible loan deal for German striker Mustapha Kucukovic from his old club Hamburg.

However, Hearts are also interested in bringing former Rangers man Hughes back to Scotland.

"We could do with a minimum of four more players," added McGhee, who signed striker Chris Porter on Tuesday.

"We don't have a naturally left-sided midfield player and we need another centre-forward.

"I'll need to assess the squad more before deciding what positions the other two should be, but a club that finished tenth in the league last season clearly needs something.

"I have been talking to Leicester City and to Stephen Hughes' representatives but there is a lot of interest in him and it will be difficult for us to beat off the opposition. But we will try.

"We will have a look a several players in Austria next week.

"We will get a look at Kucukovic and Felix Magath has invited me to the Wolfsburg training camp for a day to see which of his players may be able to come and help us."

It has been reported that two Polish trialists are also expected to join Well's Austrian training camp next week.