It was a case of "no names" from boss Csaba Laszlo when he met the media at his pre-match news conference, this morning.

The Tynecastle manager was quizzed at length about possible January and summer signings, however out of respect of players playing for other clubs he refused to discuss names.

Speculation has of course been utterly fevered in recent weeks, added to which a defeat at the hands of Aberdeen in the Active Nation Scottish Cup has sent things up another level.

In amongst the craziness of the January transfer window Csaba was calm and in good spirits as he looked ahead to the visit of St Mirren.

"It has been the same question for three weeks," he grinned when asked the usual opening question from journalists.

"I can give you the same answer. Me and the sport director have identified a lot of players and at the beginning of the December I gave my plan for the short term and long term.

"Now we have the new sport director and this is in his duty and we work and realise something for short term and long term. About names I don't like to speak.

"I spoke about two names before legally [Izale McLeod and Steven McLean], because although the players had two clubs the two clubs were informed. Now one player has signed for Peterborough and the second player who is on the list was not finalised.

"We have names and I hope that with the new sport director we have the right person who goes and tries to deal in this direction with interest in our club. I think this is legitimate.

"You have so much speculation, so many names and I must follow the interest of other managers. Maybe players have contracts short term and long term, and nobody likes to speak about players who are not finalised. Maybe their club does not want us to talk. This rule must be followed.

"Even if someone has a contract to the summer he has a contract and I don't speak about this player - definitely no. I have a list, we have a plan. I have given this to our sport director. He must do what he thinks is important."

On Hearts.TV today - Watch Csaba Laszlo and Lee Wallace give this week's pre-match news conference from Riccarton