Jim Jefferies this evening revealed that he hopes Republic of Ireland striker Stephen Elliot will join Hearts next week.

The Preston North End forward still has some paperwork to formalise with his current club before any move can take place.

But after watching today's 1-1 draw against Blackburn JJ is optimistic he'll have another quality addition in his pool of players by the time St Johnstone visit Tynecastle next weekend.

"We're close to Stephen Elliot," Jim said. "That's a big help because if he can get the paperwork tidied up at Preston we can then sit down and try and work out the situation.

"We're very close to getting him but it will take until next week although I'd hope to get him into the team for next week.

"Everything is done with Preston on our side but on his side things need to be sorted out. You need to go through the usual procedures.

"This lad would take a big drop to come to Scotland. The fact he knew Kevin Kyle and played with him at Sunderland helped.

"A lot of people have recommended him including Mick McCarthy and they think up he could do a great turn. Hopefully we can get it tied up.

"He is in and around the box and sharp and when Kyle gets back there would be good competition for places."

Jim also revealed he thinks there's real potential in trialist Jonathan Toto, the 20-year-old Cameroonian having impressed the manager during his trial spell.

Admitting that the Metz academy youngster is far from a finished product, Jim feels that there's plenty of potential which he believes can be honed with the right guidance.

"We took him on trial and I watched him on three clubs against some East of Scotland sides and he did everything I asked of him," he said.

"He has scored six goals in three games. He did some daft things in the games but there was something there and I think he's got something.

"So I thought 'why not put him on for 20 minutes?' I would like to have put him on for longer now, but I did not because if he was right out of his depth it would have been unfair.

"We gave him 20 minutes and although there were a couple of passes he tried that did not come off his movement was good and he looks the part. I just think maybe in there is something we can uncover.

"He won't cost a fortune. He might take a wee bit of time to get it out but there's a bit of raw talent.

"Sometimes along the way you unearth a little gem. I think he's got something worth working on. It will be up to us to get that out of him. He might turn out to be a real find."

On Hearts.TV today - Catch post-match reaction from JJ and Ian Black after today's draw against Blackburn Rovers