Alex Cochrane is on the verge of a return to England and is not in the Heart of Midlothian squad for the friendly with Leyton Orient.

The left-back, who has a year left on his contract, is the subject of significant interest from England. Hearts have received at least one offer. If he leave he could net the club a seven-figure fee.

Cochrane joined Hearts from Brighton & Hove Albion in 2021 on an initial loan deal. The 24-year-old made the move permanent in the summer of 2022 for a six-figure fee. He has made 126 appearances for the club.

Highly-rated left-back Ethan Drysdale starts against Orient. The 18-year-old is viewed as a promising talent and has progressed well over the last 12 months having recovered from an injury.

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James Penrice has arrived from Livingston and is a natural replacement for Cochrane but is being cautious after missing the last four months of the previous season through injury. With Steven Naismith not ruling further additions, Hearts could return to the transfer market after seven signings.

He said: "Will we sign more players? Potentially. Will players leave? Yes. We're not sitting here desperately going, 'We need to do this, this and this'."

Meanwhile, Hearts fans will get a chance to see new boys Musa Drammeh, Daniel Oyegoke and Blair Spittal all start. Ryan Fulton and Yan Dhanda are on the bench.