Hearts all set on swoop for Mellor

LIVERPOOL have given permission for striker Neil Mellor to speak to Hearts about a move north of the border.

Mellor, who scored in the reserves’ 2-1 defeat to Newcastle on Monday night, has had knee surgery and has not played for the first team since their infamous third-round FA Cup exit to Burnley almost a year ago.

His name has been linked with the Bank of Scotland Premier League side for a number of weeks.

Meanwhile, Liverpool have released Costa Rican midfielder Cristian Bolanos from his trial spell with the club. Bolanos was handed his chance after impressing for Deportivo Saprissa against the Reds in last month’s World Cup Championship clash in Japan.

But boss Rafael Benitez has ended his interest in the 21-year-old midfielder.