Scottish Premiership club Hearts have reportedly opened talks with Newcastle United over coach Ian Cathro, as they continue their search for a new manager.
The Jambos, currently third in the top flight, lost Robbie Neilson and his assistant Stevie Crawford to MK Dons earlier this week.
According to BBC Sport, Cathro - a member of Newcastle's backroom staff since linking up with Steve McClaren in 2015 - has been made Hearts' top choice to succeed Neilson at Tynecastle.
Director of football Craig Levein spent time at Dundee United when Cathro was a youth coach there, before the 30-year-old moved to Rio Ave in Portugal and then to Valencia in La Liga.
Hearts, who were knocked out of the Europa League prior to the group stage earlier this year, have lost just two of their last 10 league outings.
