Morton have Hearts' Stewart in mind for loan

Allan Moore, manager of the First Division club, requires urgent defensive midfield cover and is impressed with 20-year-old Stewart, who has made two first-team appearances with Hearts and spent last season recovering from serious injury.

"We had John Stewart in from Hearts and he played quite well and he's someone we will ask the chairman about," said Moore. "I think Hearts might be looking to get him out on loan because he's 20 now and needs games.

"The central midfield position is a bit of a worry as we've only got Michael Tidser and Allan Jenkins available there at the moment, because Graeme Holmes and Fouad Bachirou are still struggling.

"It's one we will have a look at and we'll have a chat with Hearts and see what the situation is with the boy, and a chat with the chairman and see what the situation is money-wise.

"We told the boy he played well, but we can't promise him anything because we already have a squad here."

Another Hearts midfielder, Eggert Jonsson, remains part of Iceland's Under-21 side for this evening's European Championship play-off return leg against Scotland at Easter Road. The 22-year-old is anticipating a difficult night at a venue where he has only lost once with Hearts as Iceland look to consolidate following last Thursday's 2-1 first-leg win.

"Easter Road is a place I know well as I've played there a lot of times," said Jonsson. "It has always been a good place to go with Hearts. We've had a great record there recently. I have been beaten only once as a player there, and I'm looking to keep that run going."