MORTON boss Dougie Imrie’s search for a no.9 hots up this week as his latest target jetted in for his chance to impress the Cappielow chief.

Imrie revealed that he would run the rule over a mystery trialist shortly after his side’s Premier Sports Cup defeat to top-flight side, St Johnstone and the Tele can reveal that said mystery man is none other than one-time Arsenal star and former Livingston and Aberdeen front man Jay Emmanuel-Thomas.

It is understood that the former Livi striker has until today (Wednesday) to prove his fitness under the watchful eye of Cappielow supremo Imrie and his assistant Andy Millen, as he looks to land a third deal in Scotland after stints in West Lothian and at Pittodrie.

(Image: PA)

Emmanuel-Thomas, more affectionately known as JET, was last with National League club, Kidderminster Harriers, whom he left at the end of last season after failing to score in nine league appearances, off the back of being unsuccessful in his attempt to land a deal at now League One side, Inverness Caley Thistle.

Both Imrie and JET, had just missed each other at Livingston as the striker opted to sign a two-year-deal at Aberdeen when Imrie arrived at the club when becoming a part of David Martindale’s backroom staff.

Imrie has made it no secret that he’s still on the lookout for a focal point in his attack as he looks to find the final piece of his attacking jigsaw, although it’s market that currently doesn’t seem to be baring much fruit at present.

The Ton chief will be hoping that, if a deal was agreed with the former Bristol City and Ipswich Town man, that he can replicate the form he showed under Martindale, where he netted nine times in all competitions as Livingston made it all the way to the Scottish League Cup Final as well as into the top six.

Elsewhere, the Tele can reveal former Liverpool kid Jack Bearne is set to leave the club my mutual consent.

The one-time Anfield star walks away from Cappielow little over halfway through a two-year deal, in pursuit of first team opportunities down south after agreeing a deal to see him leave the club earlier this week.

Bearne had featured two of Ton’s three Premier Sports Cup fixtures as a substitute, against Brechin City and St Johnstone.

The winger made seven starts in all competitions last season as he struggled to nail down a place in Dougie Imrie’s starting XI, netting one goal against Bo’ness United in the Scottish Cup.

It is understood that Bearne has attracted interest from several step five and step six clubs over the summer.