Heart of Midlothian expect movement over the future of Nathaniel Atkinson and Toby Sibbick.

The defensive duo are effectively up for sale after being told by Steven Naismith earlier this year that minutes on the pitch will be few and far between. While still part of the first-team squad they didn't travel with the team to Tenerife for the pre-season training camp and are unlikely to feature in friendlies.

The Hearts head coach provided an update on their status regarding interest.

"There have been a couple of conversations had with them," Naismith, speaking ahead of Hearts' friendly with Spurs on Wednesday, said. "Nothing to give you any more information on but I would expect there to be movement at some point over the course of the weeks coming up."

Read more

Meanwhile, Alex Cochrane is edging closer to an exit. The club accepted a bid understood to be worth upward of £1million from Engish League One outfit Birmingham City. The transfer is "in the works" according to Naismith with the player in talks and the medical and legal side of the deal expected to happen in the coming days.

"I don't expect there to be any change to it," he confirmed. "All round it's a football business decision that makes sense.

"Every club in Scotland are in that bracket of if someone comes in for your players it needs to be considered. I think it is a good model. Us as a club haven't been good enough at it in previous years.

"Alex was someone who was identified to come in, he improved, he improved Hearts and this is the outcome of that. It is a good deal for everyone."

Naismith revealed the money generated from the transfer makes little difference to the club's transfer plans.

"The conversations I've had with the club have been if we identify a player we think is the right one and we think is a good prospect and one that can be developed and progressed then the club say they will back that and go for it," he explained. 

"I don't generally think one sale makes it like we've got a pot of money now. It's not the way it works. We're comfortable with that and bringing in seven so far shows we are doing our business as quick as we can."