Hearts boss Neil Critchley is looking to add more players to his squad in January but admitted he could lose defender Kye Rowles.
MLS club DC United have expressed interest in the Australian international who joined the Jambos in 2022 from the Central Coast Mariners.
The future of captain Lawrence Shankland is also unclear as the Scotland striker enters the final six months of his contract; as are teammates Craig Gordon, Zander Clark, Barrie McKay, Liam Boyce and Jorge Grant.
Sunday January 12 2:30 p.m
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The Tynecastle club have already been busy this window, securing the permanent signing of St Johnstone defender Jamie McCart and sending Elton Kabangu on loan from Union Saint-Gilloise. But what does the rest of the window hold for the club? Here's what Critchley said Sky Sports News…
Could Rowles leave?
MLS club DC United want Kye Rowles from Hearts
“Yes, yes (there has been interest).
“In January, you're always looking to bring players in, but you always have to be prepared for 'what if' situations and people have the right to come in and apply or negotiate with your players.
“Kye has been fantastic, he's played almost every minute since I've been here and rightly so, he would attract suitors from other places.
“We are not looking to lose him but, in this day and age, every player has a price.
Will there be more trips?
Lawrence Shankland is currently injured and out of contract at the end of this season
“We discuss that internally about our strategy and our plan to move the club forward. Sometimes players can do their talking for you on the field, they can answer the questions we ask internally by training well and playing well.
“They always have the option to change your mind or reinforce what you already think about how they train every day and how they play.
“In January, we are looking to strengthen, but we are also looking further to the summer and hopefully in the coming months the picture will become clearer in terms of what we want to do to do
“There's been a lot of publicity about (Lawrence) Shankland's contract situation, all I can say is he's the captain here and he's been brilliant in my time here.
“He has given everything to the team, he leads by example, and I am very happy that he is here. As long as that lasts I will be happy.”
Are you expecting more signs?
Daniel Armstrong will leave Kilmarnock on a free transfer this summer but could Hearts make a move for the player?
“Any head coach would tell you that they are always trying to improve the team and we are no different.
“We've done a little bit of work at the start of the window which has been helpful. I would still be surprised if the team is the same before the end of January.
“I'm not going to talk about the other players at the club. Of course, I'm aware of Danny Armstrong because he's been at Kilmarnock and played in this league for a number of years and to do very well.
“We want to improve our team, we have identified areas of the pitch that we want to try to strengthen, but it would be wrong for me to talk about a player from Kilmarnock.”
Could Kabangu be against Aberdeen?
Hearts' first January signing was Elton Kabangu
“He's been given his work permit so he's eligible to play. He is here and training with us until he joins the team for the weekend.
“He brings a different dimension to our front line. Movement, athleticism, the ability to stretch the line and is a goal winner.
“I think he will add something different to what we have at the top end of the park. But the last couple of games we have been in good form and won a couple of games, and so he has a fight for it too. hands to join the team.”
