Hearts manager Daniel Stendel explains Uche Ikpeazu's absence

Hearts striker Uche Ikpeazu is out of favour because manager Daniel Stendel prefers other forwards, although a return for the Englishman is not being ruled out.

Ikpeazu earned his first international call-up from Uganda last week despite being omitted from Hearts’ last four games.

Since withdrawing him at half-time in the 2-2 draw with Hamilton at Tynecastle Park on February 15, Stendel has not selected the 25-year-old. He has not even made the substitutes’ bench in that time.

The Uganda call-up came out of the blue and Stendel said he is pleased with Ikpeazu’s international recognition. When he might reappear in a Hearts shirt is anyone’s guess.

"It's good and I am happy for him. It's good for the club that we have a new international player,” Stendel told the Evening News.

“This is the decision from FUFA [Federation of Ugandan Football Associations]. At the moment we decided in the last games to use other players. Maybe in the future Uche will come back into the team.”

Ikpeazu has managed 29 appearances for Hearts so far this season – scoring twice – but found game time restricted since New Year.

Experienced international strikers Steven Naismith, Conor Washington and Liam Boyce are all ahead of him in the queue.

With eight Premiership games remaining and Hearts striving to avoid relegation, he may yet be offered a reprieve before the season ends.

Ikpeazu qualifies for Uganda through his mother and will travel for two Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against South Sudan later this month.