Former Hearts left back Demetri Mitchell is ready for his next move after not kicking a ball for 18-months.
The 23-year-old was released by Manchester United in the summer after two loan spells at Tynecastle were cut short by injury.
After impressing first time round under Craig Levein, Mitchell failed to hit the same heights in his second season and returned to Old Trafford after his season was ended prematurely after an injury suffered against Junior outfit Auchinleck Talbot in the Scottish Cup.
Now he’s on the lookout for another club after battling his way back to fitness, with Sunderland and Luton Town reportedly keen on the left sided player’s services.
"It's been a tough 18 months but I've worked hard through it," said Mitchell "Right now after the lockdown, I think the little break has given me a little bit of time to relax the body.
"I've been training for about eight weeks and feeling good. Feeling really good.
"It's been 18 months without a game but, really, it hasn't been because I was fit the back end of January, missed the chance to go out on loan.
"There was really about 11 to 12 months because I was back fit again in February, but obviously the lockdown's happened so those extra months have added on.”
Mitchell credits his stints as a Jambo with broadening his horizons and making him aware of what’s required to play regular first team football.
"When I came back after the injury, I just kind of knew I needed to get myself as fit as possible for this time now," he said.
"I am 23 now, it's time to move on and get more first-team football under my belt.
"United is all I've known, really, but going on loan really broadened my perspective on men's football, so that was kind of a big thing."
"I spoke to the current manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, at the back of last season.
"I was quite surprised myself because I'd never worked with him and he was new to me, anyway. He said like he wants me involved and there's a future here for me.
"I was just on the cusp of getting back fit and then I came back training and my knee just wasn't right at the time.
"I had a little few niggles and stuff. It just wasn't right for me, so up until then it was still a possibility for me.
"I think it was just bad luck, bad timing. Obviously Brandon (Williams) has come in and done great. It's just unlucky me, really."
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