Steven Naismith admits Hearts must find a new right back in January with Nat Atkinson on Asian Cup duty in Qatar and Odel Offiah back at Brighton.
The Tynecastle boss may be bracing himself for interest in skipper and goal machine Lawrence Shankland over the next 22 days.
But in terms of incomings the clear priority is to find natural defensive cover on the right flank where Toby Sibbick had to fill in against Livingston in the final game before the winter break.
Atkinson and Kye Rowles could be on Socceroo duty until mid-February depending on the success of Graham Arnold’s side in the middle east.
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