JAMBOS IN FOR STRIKER KYLE

HEARTS have launched a surprise attempt to bring Kyle Lafferty back to the Scottish top flight. The Northern Irishman’s name is at the top of the Tynecastle club’s summer wishlist and talks are to take place later this week, when the striker returns from a holiday in Dubai. Lafferty is a free agent this summer after three years at Norwich, during which time he failed to force his way into the first team picture. But his prolific scoring exploits at international level have caught the eye and a number of clubs are already believed to be preparing personal terms for the 29-year-old. Ironically, reports down south claim Norwich’s East Anglian rivals Ipswich are at the front of the queue as manager Mick Mccarthy wants Lafferty to team up with Joe Garner, who has already been picked up as part of the summer fire sale at Ibrox. Lafferty had hoped to play a part in Pedro Caixinha’s revolution at Rangers but the Portuguese coach has already snapped up two strikers during his rapid recruitment drive Coloimbian Alfredo Morelos and Eduardo Herrera who arrived in Glasgow last night with another Mexican capture Carlos Pena. But Hearts are willing to make him an offer and director of football Craig Levein will hope to persuade Lafferty that a return to Scotland, where he spent four years at Rangers before leaving for Swiss side Sion, can get his career back on track. Any deal is likely to hinge on Lafferty’s demands as, on top of the link with Ipswich, it’s also believed he has attracted interest from cash rich Azerbaijan champions Qarabag. While Hearts would be able to offer Lafferty in excess of £3,000 a-week that sum could be blown out of the water from a rival bidder either in the English championship or abroad. But a source close to the player said: “Kyle obviously needs the next move to make financial sense as he turns 30 later this year.”

FREE AGENT Lafferty has suitors on the back of his international form