McInnes on Clark interest, Findlay signing & Chesnokov arrival

McInnes is delighted to have Islam Chesnokov finally signed and "in the building" and knows there's been "much anticipation" around the Kazakhstan winger's arrival but insists they "just want to let him play" and settle in.

The Hearts boss will have a discussion with Chernokov before deciding whether to include him in the squad for Dundee, adding: "Obviously he's coming from a different part of the world, a different league, but it's clear he's got a real handle on us as a team and what's expected of him."

With Hearts having also added Jordi Altena this month, McInnes feels the bulk of transfer business has been done and says he already has "the best striker in the league" in Lawrence Shankland, but would like to add "those support players that can maybe help us".

He adds: "We're still mindful, we've still got a few weeks, we can still react to injuries and things. But I feel as though we're in a decent place with the squad at the minute."

There is interest from English clubs in goalkeeper Zander Clark, as sporting director Graeme Jones told the boss "he had a couple of calls from teams down south" but McInnes adds "it was no more than that".

After Stuart Findlay agreed a two-year deal to join permanently in the summer, McInnes stresses the importance of a "core of Scottish players" in the squad.

And he suggested players like Findlay, Craig Halkett, Stephen Kingsley and Harry Milne could all be on Steve Clarke's radar for the World Cup this summer.

On the title race, McInnes says Hearts are probably exceeding fans' expectations by topping the table, but are "comfortable" setting the pace.

He adds: "We're exactly where we want to be. We've been top of the league now for over three months. This isn't just a little run of form, it isn't just a little spell. It's something more than that."

Oisin McEntee will miss the next "two to three weeks" with a groin injury. Ageu and Calem Nieuwenhof are training but will not feature this weekend. Pierre Landry Kabore should be back from Afcon on Friday and available for the weekend.