On Wednesday, Heart of Midlothian head coach Neil Critchley was asked if he would be tempted to rest players for the Omonia Nicosia Conference League clash with the Edinburgh derby on the horizon.

Critchley explained that it isn't resting players but "managing the squad" as he all but confirmed there will be changes to the team that beat St Mirren 4-0 on Saturday due to the hectic schedule facing Hearts until the next international break.

"To play the way that we want to play, energy, intensity, then you have to manage the squad," he said. "And also I need to see some of the players play but you have to get the balance right.

"Too many changes would be possibly slightly foolish but to keep the freshness in the group and to play the way we want to play and also give the players an opportunity to impress, then that's something I have to consider in this period."

It is now figuring out which squad members will be taken out and those who will likely be ever presents.

Craig Gordon will remain between the sticks with the No.1 jersey while Frankie Kent and Kye Rowles' centre-back partnership is continuing to blossom. Expect a change at full-back, likely at right-back, possibly both. Daniel Oyegoke was replaced by Adam Forrester in the second half for the second game in a row while James Penrice recieved treatment and appeared to play through discomfort toward the end of the win over St Mirren. Stephen Kingsley rather than Andres Salazar would be the replacement.

In midfield, Critchely would likely want Beni Baningime and Malachi Boateng to partner each other for the derby. With three games in a week it is the former who is more likely to drop out. Cammy Devlin had a positive impact when he came off the bench on Saturday and he could fill in beside Boateng.

Lawrence Shankland and Kenneth Vargas will likely continue their partnership if Critchley keeps the 4-4-2 but expect one of Blair Spittal or Yan Dhanda to drop to the bench. With cramp toward the end of the game, it could be Spittal who is taken out of the XI. Alan Forrest, like Devlin, did well when he came on and could be given a start.

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