Hearts will let Zdenek Zlamal leave this month if he finds a club

Hearts goalkeeper Zdenek Zlamal is near the end of his contract.

The 35-year-old – nicknamed Bobby – has not played since Robbie Neilson was appointed manager last June and is out of contract this summer. Neilson will not stand in his way if he wants to move before the end of January.

The pair held talks about Zlamal’s future and the keeper is eager to play regular first-team football. That could mean a loan deal before he departs Hearts as a free agent at the end of the season.

Craig Gordon is the club’s established No.1 and Ross Stewart will remain second-choice as his loan from Livingston is poised to be extended. That leaves Zlamal out of the picture.

“Bobby's contract is up in the summer so we've had a chat with him,” Neilson told the Evening News. “If he finds somewhere that he wants to go on loan to play, then it's something we would look at.

“Given the age Bobby is at, and with him coming to the end of his contract, he needs to play to make sure he gets another contract somewhere. Bobby is still third-choice at the moment, plus we've got young Harry Stone on loan at Spartans.

“Harry comes back this month and we’ll have a wee look at him before we decide whether to loan him out again. Harry has been doing very well and we see him as a real long-term prospect for us.”

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