Laszlo wants to fill two gaps in his Europa League squad

Hearts manager Csaba Laszlo says he is still hoping to add up to two new players to his squad ahead of Monday's Europa League signing deadline.

Clubs have until 2300BST to submit their squad for the fourth qualifying-round ties on 20 and 27 August.

"It is not a big secret that we're trying to bring in one or two more players," said Laszlo, who has made a striker his main target.

"We don't have so much time, but we definitely have candidates."

Hearts' search for a striker intensified when Calum Elliot suffered a heel injury that has required him to be sent to a specialist.

"It is important that if these players come, they must be here quick to train with the team together if they would like to play in the first team," said Laszlo, whose side will learn their Europa League opponents in Friday's draw.

"In one or two days, without naming names, maybe we can get these players and then our squad for the short term is closed and we concentrate only on the following game - Dundee United."

Meanwhile, winger Andrew Driver is now expected to return from injury in time for the second leg of the Europa League tie, while midfielder Ruben Palazuelos has returned to training ahead of Saturday's friendly against Sunderland.

I will maybe think about going on loan, but Hearts is a great club and I want to stay Hearts goalkeeper Jamie MacDonald

Hearts goalkeeper Jamie MacDonald is relishing this weekend's reunion with former team-mate Craig Gordon.

The pair became firm friends as they progressed through the ranks at Tynecastle before the Scotland number one moved to Sunderland for L9m.

Gordon, who will miss Scotland's World Cup qualifier against Norway next week, faces a race against time to be fit for Saturday's friendly between the sides at Tynecastle.

"I worked with Craig for five or six years and we still speak regularly," said MacDonald.

"He's struggling a bit for Saturday, but he's hoping to get 15 minutes or so. I have never played against him, so it would be great if we were both involved.

"It has been one thing after another for him, which has been unfortunate."

MacDonald hopes to use Saturday's game to boost his claim to be a Hearts regular this term.

The 23-year-old played only a handful of first-team games last season but signed a new three-year contract in the summer.

However, he will consider a loan move if he fails to make the position his own.

"I'll see how this year goes and hopefully I can keep progressing," he said.

Andrew Driver will miss the start of the new season

Hearts winger Andrew Driver will miss the start of the season after being ruled out for up to six weeks with a heel injury.

Manager Csaba Laszlo said it was a blow to lose the 21-year-old.

Driver, who has been linked with a move to Burnley, will miss the league opener against Dundee United and his side's Europa League play-off first leg.

Laszlo has confirmed interest in Charlton striker Izale McLeod as he looks to bolster his attacking options.

"We know this player but there are two or three other targets, too," said Laszlo.

"We have two-and-a-half weeks before the season starts and we are trying to do something."

McLeod's prolific scoring record led Charlton to pay L1.1m for him in August 2007, but he has only scored once for the Addicks.

He spent the latter part of last season on loan at Millwall.

Kakvo je stanje s vašom ozljedom?
- Osjećam se dobro kod hodanja, ali još uvijek ne znam što bi bilo da trčim. To mi je liječnik zabranio. Danas ću obaviti dogovorene preglede kod mog liječnika, dr. Müller-Wohlfahrta u Münchenu. Čekam njegovo mišljenje nakon što snimi stanje bolnog mjesta na stopalu. Dosad sam svakodnevno radio u teretani, vozio bicikl, radio s utezima... Bilo bi idealno i veliko zadovoljstvo kad bih dobio zeleno svjetlo za sve napore.