John Sutton says he still has more for Hearts

The striker is on a four-month loan in Australia with Central Coast Mariners but is determined to establish himself in Edinburgh when he returns having endured an indifferent start to his career under manager Paulo Sergio.

His loan at the Gosford club expires on May 31 and he will then start afresh with Hearts, where his contract runs until June 2014.

Sutton arrived from Motherwell on freedom of contract last summer but fell out of favour with Sergio and managed only three goals in 18 appearances before being loaned to CC Mariners in January. He has already helped them finish top of the Hyundai A-League and reach the play-offs for the season’s Grand Final.

He believes he can persuade any doubters back in Scotland that he has the ability to come good. “I feel I’m a good enough player,” he said. “I really appreciate how special a club Hearts is and I enjoy playing at Tynecastle. I couldn’t get any more enjoyment than I do when I’m playing for Hearts.

“I’ve got a great desire to do well when I come back. Hopefully, things will work out a little bit better from the start of next season. I hope to persuade people and show what I can do. All I can do is go out and do my best on the pitch, which is what I’ve done since I got to Hearts.

“I believe I can do it. I felt when I played I did well, but obviously I never really established myself fully in the team.

“I signed my contract and hopefully in the final two years I can establish myself and do well. It’s a brilliant club to play for and there’s no reason why the boys can’t win the Scottish Cup this year and maybe put in a challenge for the League next year as well.”

Meanwhile, the player who has replaced Sutton, Craig Beattie, will not be rushed back into action after sustaining a heel injury. “When I played, I had the same problem and I know it is hard to recover so we took the decision not to give him a pain-killing injection,” said Sergio.