Novikovas signs on again

Hearts can expect winger Arvydas Novikovas to be around for a while as he has signed a new three-year contract with the club. The 19-year-old has been named in the Lithuania squad for this month's friendly against Ukraine which will do his confidence no harm what so eve. The deal sees him committed to the Hearts cause until the summer of 2013. Novikovas made his first-team debut in the Jambos' final game of last season at Celtic and has gone on to make 12 further appearances this season. His last outing came two months ago in the 1-0 defeat against Dundee United.

Manager Jim Jefferies said: "We are delighted Arvydas has committed himself to the club for the next few years. We have been impressed with him since we came into the club. He is still young but he had a taste of the first team earlier this season when we had a lot of injuries. There are things for him to work on and he needs to build up his strength for the rigours of the SPL but, ability-wise, he is a gifted young player. He is naturally left-sided and is very good at delivering balls from free-kicks and corners and is a player who will be pushing for more starts next season."