Cathro eyes City full-back

Hearts have approached Manchester City to sign left-back Ashley Smith-brown on loan.

Tynecastle officials enquired about the 21-year-old and City are receptive to a season-long loan deal. Negotiations are taking place at the moment over the proposed move.

Smith-brown is an attacking left-back who has represented England at every youth level up to under-20. He spent last season on loan with NAC Breda, playing 29 games and helping the club secure promotion to the Dutch top flight.

Hearts believe he could solve their problem left-back position after Juwon Oshaniwa, Faycal Rherras and Lennard Sowah all failed to cement themselves in the side, and the latter two were released last month. Head coach Ian Cathro intends to use a threeman defensive system with two wing-backs next season, and Smith-brown has been earmarked for a role wide on the left.