Heart of Midlothian have made contract offers to both Beni Baningime and Craig Halkett.

The defender and midfielder are two of seven first-team players whose deals will expire at the end of the season. Craig Gordon, Michael McGovern, Alan Forrest, Andy Halliday and Peter Haring are the others.

Liam Boyce recently triggered an extension, extending his stay by a further 12 months. On confirming the extension, sporting director Joe Savage said the club are "hopeful of sorting out a few more, so watch this space".

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Hearts Standard, however, understands neither Halkett and Baningime have yet to communicate their decision to the club despite the offers being made earlier this season.

Both players have now returned to first-team action following long-term injuries. Baningime missed the entirety of the 2022/23 season but has started the last eight games, completing the 90 minutes in the most recent five. Halkett made his first appearance on Saturday, as a substitute in the 2-1 loss at Aberdeen, since Christmas Eve last year.

"It was a nice feeling," he said. "It has been a long road since last Christmas Eve so it has been a lot of hard work, but thankfully that’s me past that stage now and I’m fit and ready to play."

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If neither player extends their stay prior to January they will be able to talk to other clubs over a pre-contract agreement.

Savage told Hearts Standard earlier this season that the club would explore new deals for Halkett, Gordon and Baningime "when the time is right".

"They are key players," he said. "I would be very, very stupid to say we wouldn't be having a conversation with them when the time is right to explore extending the contract because the one thing you need to do is keep the players you know can perform at the level and they three certainly can perform at this level for us."