Stockton coming - at last?

Last updated : 26 January 2018 By Paddock Pundit

Cole Stockton is poised to leave Hearts for Carlisle United after falling out of favour at Tynecastle.


The 23-year-old striker is in talks with the English League Two club and Hearts are willing to let him go. He has made 15 appearances but started only four times since arriving from National League side Tranmere Rovers last summer. He was left in the stand during Wednesday night's 3-0 win at Hamilton.

 

Stockton's Hearts contract still has 18 months to run but he has not managed to force himself ahead of fellow strikers Kyle Lafferty and Esmael Goncalves in the pecking order. Steven Naismith's recent arrival on loan restricts game time further.

 

Stockton is eager to play more regularly and Carlisle, who wanted him in the summer, have rekindled their interest. They just loaned striker Shaun Miller to Crewe Alexandra and are in the market for a replacement. Other English clubs are also monitoring the situation but, at the moment, United are favourites to take Stockton back south.