Hearts ask Sunderland about Ryan Noble loan deal

HEARTS have enquired about a loan deal for the 21-year-old Sunderland striker Ryan Noble. The Tynecastle management team have watched the player in action and are keen to recruit another forward to reinforce their attack after loaning Michael Ngoo from Liverpool last week.

Noble is a regular for Sunderland’s under-21 side and spent time on loan at Hartlepool United this season. The Evening News has learned would be interested in the chance to move to the Scottish Premier League.

Hearts must adhere to strict signing restrictions imposed by the SPL following their failure to pay players on time late last year. They can only sign under-21s on a one-in-one-out basis, and any incoming player must be on equal or less money than who he replaces.

Ryan McGowan and Peter Enckelman left earlier this month to be replaced by Danny Wilson and Ngoo. With youth-team striker Callum Wyllie also having been released, there is one more space available to manager John McGlynn.

Any loan deal would hinge on Sunderland agreeing to accept the equivalent of Wyllie’s wage as contribution towards Noble’s salary. If they are willing, then an agreement could be reached between the clubs before the January transfer window closes on Thursday.