Hearts’ Ryan Stevenson in limbo after move blocked

RYAN STEVENSON faces the prospect of remaining in exile for the next five months with no football action after Dundee United’s attempts to sign the Hearts midfielder failed.

United made an inquiry for Stevenson but have been unable to agree a transfer with Hearts, who are reluctant to let the unsettled player join a rival club in the Scottish Premier League.

With the transfer window due to close in five days’ time, Stevenson’s chances of securing an exit from Tynecastle are dwindling.

Crawley Town’s £20,000 bid was rejected last week with Hearts seeking £100,000 for the midfielder, who has refused to train or play since December 22 because of previous wage delays.

Stevenson’s contract expires in June and he could find himself left in limbo until then if he fails to secure a club before next Tuesday. He asked Hearts to agree to terminate his contract last month but that request was refused. Bristol City continue to monitor the situation but they have yet to make a move for the 27-year-old.

Hearts striker John Sutton is also attracting interest from a number of clubs but, like Stevenson, he will not be allowed to leave for a rival SPL side. The latest team watching Sutton is the Australian A-League outfit Central Coast Mariners, who are contemplating a loan move.

However, with only Sutton and Stephen Elliott as recognised first-team strikers, the Hearts manager, Paulo Sergio, would be left short on attacking options if he allowed the Englishman to leave.

Meanwhile, young Hearts striker Robert Ogleby has spent this week on trial at Falkirk with a view to a loan move.

The Welsh Under-21 internationalist spent the first half of this season loaned to East Fife.