Jim McIntyre refuses to rule out Sutton loan deal

Reports had suggested the East End Park side were looking to bring in the out-of-favour striker on a temporary deal.

But the Fifers’ supremo is believed to be more concerned with strengthening a porous defence and securing the signing of a goalkeeper.

The former Motherwell man is believed to be one of Hearts’ highest earners, meaning Dunfermline would have to work hard to negotiate a favourable percentage of the striker’s salary which they would pay.

Nevertheless McIntyre, who has declared he has no interest in Raith Rovers forward John Baird, declined to do the same regarding Sutton.

He said: “I’m not in the business of ruling anyone in or out at the moment.

“I don’t think it is fair to talk about other clubs’ players when they are under contract, and he is a Hearts player.

“But anything could happen between now and the end of the window.”

Meanwhile, Dunfermline are running the rule over American goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra as they look to solve their goalkeeper crisis.

The former Chicago Fire shot-stopper, 26, trained with the East End Park outfit last week, following the news that Paul Gallacher will be out for the rest of the season with a shoulder injury.

It has left the SPL’s bottom club with just one recognised senior keeper, Chris Smith, with young Ryan Goodfellow - who has yet to play a match for the first-team - on the bench.

Pars boss Jim McIntyre confirmed on Thursday that he was looking to bring in a goalkeeper in January and, if he impresses on trial, six-foot-four Dykstra could fit the bill.

The player was named the USL Pro League’s most valuable player this season after an impressive season with Charleston Battery.

Dykstra has also played 17 Major League Soccer appearances for Chicago Fire.