Beni Baningime has confirmed he won't make a decision on his future at Heart of Midlothian until the season is finished - but revealed a factor that could sway him to committing long-term.

The midfielder's contract runs until the end of the campaign when he will become a free agent. He has stated that he would not agree to a pre-contract with another team before then or sign the contract extension which has been tabled by Hearts. 

Baningime, however, did admit that the prospect of Blair Spittal, Yan Dhanda and James Penrice arriving in the summer having agreed pre-contracts could help him make his decision.

READ MORE: How Beni Baningime became such a key player for Hearts

"100 per cent but ultimately I won't be signing any contract with anyone before the end of the season," he said. "We're doing it at the end of the season. I've spoken with my family, there won't be any pre-contract with this team or this team.

"For me, it's focusing on Hearts and finishing third. Last season we let it slip so we still need to hold onto that and hopefully go on and win the cup if we can. That's basically my aim.

"But with those players coming in and where the club is going it definitely makes you start to think, 'Okay, I'd want to play with these players' because they are good players."

READ MORE: Beni Baningime: Naismith has say on Hearts star's future

Baningime has proven his importance to the team this season after missing the entirety of last season. Since returning from a setback early on in the campaign he has missed just two of the last 32 matches, starting 24 of those.

"I feel great and I've felt great for a long time," he said. "I'm just happy for myself and very thankful for the physios, for the gaffer, for everyone at the club helping me come back and to get me back to me best."