HEARTS have made a move to recruit Scotland internationalist Steven Naismith from Norwich City.

The 31-year-old has not featured for the English side since August after suffering ankle ligament damage in training.

Naismith, who is contracted to the English Championship side until the summer of 2019, recently admitted he would be open to a return to Rangers.

It is understood Hearts have made enquiries about the forward’s availability as manager Craig Levein bids to bolster his squad during the January transfer window. Levein knows what he would be getting from Naismith having worked with the player during his time as Scotland manager.

Meanwhile, Levein admits he is hopeful Demetri Mitchell can be the solution to the team’s left-back problems after the defender signed on loan from Manchester United.

The 21-year-old will link up with the squad on their winter training camp in Spain today and will play in tomorrow’s friendly against German second-tier side Nuremberg.

Levein said: “He’s an exciting young talent at Manchester United. They think very highly of him and feel it’s time for him to go out and play on loan. He was a winger who’s been converted back to full back and we are looking for some balance in the team.”