Heart of Midlothian head coach Steven Naismith provided an update on injured duo Calem Nieuwenhof and Frankie Kent.

Both will miss Saturday's trip to face Ross County but it is hoped they will return to action after the international break.

Kent has sat out the last two games after suffering a knee injury in the draw with Hibs, while Calem Nieuwenhof wasn't available for Monday's Scottish Cup quarter-final win over Greenock Morton due to a hamstring issue he picked up during the win over Celtic. 

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Naismith plans to have them back in training during the break with a view to returning to action against Kilmarnock at Tynecastle Park at the end of the month.

"We expect Frankie and Calem back during the international break, which then puts them into the first game back," he said. "The expectation is we will have them back for then."

Barrie McKay has already returned to first-team training and could also be in contention. The decision to include Yutaro Oda and Scott Fraser in the squad for the trip to Dingwall will be taken after training on Friday.

Meanwhile, Naismith confirmed that Stephen Kingsley is being monitored by Steve Clarke and the Scotland national team. The Hearts boss revealed that the club were asked to provide information on the defender who has been in impressive form this season.

Kingsley made his second appearance for Scotland in the Nations League clash with Ukraine in September 2022 as a second-half substitute.

"He's been quoted," Naismith said. "There's obviously processes in the background for fitness levels and stuff that you need to provide, and Kingsley's info was asked for. That shows you that he's in the group.

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"The defensive part of the [Scotland] team is arguably one of the strongest now, but what I think it does give is hope. Stephen Kingsley made a squad a year ago or whenever it was and it was a similar squad. It shows that the manager has him in his thoughts and he's been there. He put him on against Ukraine.

"Stephen will understand it'll be tough, but I would argue he's been one of our best players this season. He's so consistent, his quality and defending are really good and he's got real quality in possession. I think he's enjoying where he sits within our group and he's a great pro. You don't come back from where he was if you are not a great pro. These are all the reasons why we are lucky to have him."