Sunderland hold talks with ex-Rangers, Burnley, Norwich and Hearts striker Kyle Lafferty - as forward reveals his 'first option'

The former Rangers striker is a free agent and Sunderland are looking to bolster their striking options as part of a January reshuffle.

Our sister paper The Scotsman report Lafferty met with club representatives at the Sunderland training ground on Tuesday.

The 32-year-old experienced striker is on a free after a spell in Norway with Sarpsborg 08. He has been linked linked with a possible return to Hearts and the Northern Ireland international admitted earlier his week that was his preferred option.

He told the Daily Record: “My first option would be Hearts and I’ve said previously that I’d jump at the chance to go back.

“I loved the time I had there, the fans were great with me and I have lots of friends there who I still keep in touch with. I’ve spoken with a few Hearts boys and had a few texts about what’s going on but everything is hypothetical as there has been no firm contact.

“Playing in Norway allowed me to get back out onto the pitch and get game time, it was great to be playing regularly again. Now I need to move my career on and it’s the January window so I [am] ready for whatever challenge comes my way.”

Phil Parkinson is holding his weekly press conference this afternoon at the Academy of Light ahead of the visit of Wycombe Wanderers.