But the bulk of its signings, especially its overseas contingent, are not expected to join the club until July, after the World Cup.

Coach John van 't Schip has returned from a lengthy scouting mission in Europe and was an interested spectator at Melbourne Victory's 2-0 win over Adelaide on Saturday night, when he was joined by national team coach Pim Verbeek.

With Victory hogging the headlines as it mounts a serious defence of its championship, the news around the Heart - particularly with player signings - has died down.

But there is still speculation that the club could try to tempt Socceroo legend Mark Viduka out of his non-playing hiatus. Viduka is living in Melbourne with his family and has not played since last May, when his contract with Newcastle United expired.

He has not announced his retirement, and although he was linked with a number of potential moves to Premiership clubs six months ago nothing eventuated and most people would believe he has donned his boots for the last time.

However, it is understood that Heart officials have spoken to the star striker and, while they only regard him as perhaps a 30 per cent chance of playing again, are hopeful that if he does decide to get fit and have one last season in his home city it would be with the Heart, especially as his great friend Josip Skoko is another club target.

Heart management is also happy to allow one of its first signings, Central Coast Mariners wing-back Dean Heffernan - to move on a loan deal to Europe to try to play his way into the Australian World Cup squad.

Heffernan is trying to leave Gosford to join an overseas club in the January transfer window. However, Heart would want him back for the latter half of their pre-season.

The Heart is expected to announce its name and colours - almost certainly red and white - later this week. The Heart syndicate had been hoping to announce details before Christmas, but was held up by legal wrangles. It is believed that part of the delay was caused by a need to mollify the AFL, who argued no other club could use the words Melbourne, Football and Club in its official business name because of Melbourne Football Club."