Hartley wants to move back to Scotland and is targeting a return to Hearts

Jim Jefferies admits Paul Hartley is the type of midfielder he is looking to bring to Hearts, but he has other contenders for the role.

Hartley looks likely to leave Bristol City after being left out of the Championship club's pre-season tour.

The 33-year-old is keen to return to Scotland and has already expressed a desire to make Hearts his destination.

""We're well aware of what he can do, but there are others in the frame," said Jefferies.

Jefferies has also been linked with a return to former club Kilmarnock to sign Craig Bryson as he seeks a goalscoring midfielder and is keen to look at the bigger picture before making any moves.

"I know all about Paul's situation," Jefferies told Hearts TV.

When Paul went to Celtic and even with Scotland, he was asked to do a more sitting role Hearts manager Jim Jefferies

"We're not going to say whether a deal will be done quickly or not.

"We just hope that some of the enquiries that we have made, not just for Paul but other players that we see where we'll stand and we'll make our moves then when we know the positions for everybody."

Hartley scored 38 goals for Hearts before moving to Celtic in January 2007 and Jefferies believes he can still perform an attacking role despite being utilised in a deeper position at Parkhead.

"You can have plenty of midfield players, but it's not midfield players of the same type you want," said the Hearts manager. "It's something that little bit different.

"We might have two or three who can get about the midfield and sit and pass it, or get it back. I don't think we have too many who can get beyond. It's got to be someone of that type.

"Paul Hartley used to do that when he played here and he was a danger. When he went to Celtic and even with Scotland, he was asked to do a more sitting role."

Bristol City manager Steve Coppell is not going to stand in Hartley's way after the Scotland midfielder asked for a move.

"His family are up in Scotland and he was back and forth to see them all last season," Coppell said.

"He is homesick and, in an ideal world, he'd be playing his football in Scotland. That's his point of view and I respect that.

"He had a very good year for this club last season, but it's asking a lot for him to be making that journey over and over again for another season.

"I'm anticipating that he won't be here. I think he's too good a player not to be picked up by a club north of the border."

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