Darren Jackson is poised to return to Dundee United as the latest to join the exodus from cash-strapped Hearts. The former Scotland striker was at Tannadice on Thursday for talks with United manager Alex Smith. Jackson has been frozen out of the first-team picture at Hearts because the cash-hit club do not want to give him a loyalty bonus he would be due by playing one more game.

The 34-year-old, who has also played for Celtic, Hibernian, Newcastle United and also had a previous spell at Tannadice, has a clause in his existing contract stating that, if he plays 15 games this season, he automatically qualifies for a one-year extension. He has played 14, but Hearts have made it clear that they will not pick Jackson until he drops the clause and he was not even on the bench as Hearts lost 5-2 to Celtic after extra time in the CIS Insurance Cup quarter-final on Wednesday.

Manager Jim Jefferies has explained that his club could not commit itself to another year's contract for a veteran player who has not hit his best form this season. Hearts, expected to soon announce a loss of more than £3m, were recently forced to sell Scotland full-back Gary Naysmith to Everton. ©BBC Sport