Hearts ready to appoint Daniel Stendel's assistant

Daniel Stendel hopes to have one of his assistants in place at Hearts next week

Hearts are poised to appoint manager Daniel Stendel's assistant within the next week, the Evening News can reveal.

Stendel had worked with Chris Stern and Dale Tonge at former club Barnsley and wanted both men to join him on the Riccarton coaching staff, but he could now recruit someone different.

Contractual issues with Barnsley have made it difficult for Hearts to hire former Oakwell employees and Stendel has identified another unnamed candidate who is available to step in.

The Hearts reserve coach Andy Kirk moved up to help out at first-team level when Stendel was named manager last month. However, there is an agreement in place for the German to recruit his own assistant.

Jon Daly agreed to part company with the Edinburgh club on New Year's Day and that has created an opening on the coaching staff for Stendel to bring in one of his own men.