Hearts have enquired about the availability of Blackburn Rovers striker Dominic Samuel, a report from the Edinburgh Evening News has claimed.

The Tynecastle club are said to be in the market for a new striker this month, as they look to get themselves off the bottom of the Scottish Premiership table, and it seems they have identified Samuel as one potential option.

According to the latest reports, Hearts have spoken to Blackburn about the possibility of recruiting the 25-year-old, but it is thought that he is also attracting attention from a number of other as yet unnamed clubs.

Samuel joined Blackburn from Reading in the summer of 2017, and helped the club to win promotion from League One at the first time of asking during his debut season with the club.

Since then however, things have been difficult for the striker, who has made just two substitute appearances for Blackburn's senior side since suffering a cruciate ligament injury in August 2018.

There are currently just six months remaining on Samuel's contract at Rovers, meaning he will be allowed to leave the club for nothing at the end of this season, if no deal is agreed either way before then.

The Verdict

This may not be a bad move for Samuel.

Even when he is fit, the number of attacking options Rovers have at their disposal means it could be hard for him to force a way into their starting XI.

A move to Hearts could at least see him get those first-team opportunities he is looking for, and given he has been in prolific form for Blackburn's Under 23s side while getting back to fitness this season, he may still be able to do a job for them.

With his contract at Ewood Park set to expire at the end of this season, letting Samuel go now may not be the worst thing for Rovers to do either, since they will then at least be able to receive some funds for him to reinvest elsewhere in the club.