Hearts 'favourites' to sign Dexter Lembikisa as rising Wolves star identified as right-back solution

Hearts have made their move to land Wolves right-back Dexter Lembikisa.

Edinburgh Evening News report that Steven Naismith is favourite to land the defender from the English Premier League outfit as he looks to push through a loan deal as soon as possible. The 20-year-old spent the first half of the campaign in the English Championship with Rotherham United, featuring in 27 games in all competitions.

Hearts identified right-back as a key area they wanted to recruit in this window and they are edging closer to landing their man. He's a Jamaica international and would arrive at Tynecastle fit and ready to go. The capital club are currently preparing behind the scenes for their return to action next weekend in the Scottish Cup against fellow Edinburgh outfit The Spartans. Nathaniel Atkinson is away on international duty at the Asian Cup with Australia while Odel Offiah is back at Brighton

Speaking earlier this week about his transfer plans, Naismith said: He said: “Exactly. With us getting the longer term ones back, we have a good squad. We have got a competitive squad. “We need to look at the right-back position especially with Odel going back to Brighton. Before Natty was called up to the squad we needed to look at that situation, so we definitely do.

“We have managed to cover and get through when Natty was injured. It's an area we've highlighted that we do get another body in. We will look to do something. We are still looking at exactly who we want. There are conversations getting had all the time. We know we need to do it. We know we are restricted when the Aussie boys go away. It's something we will be proactive with.”