Ozturk and Buaben set to boost Hearts for Tannadice

ALIM OZTURK and Prince Buaben could both return to the Hearts team against Dundee United this weekend.
Hearts skipper Alim OzturkHearts skipper Alim Ozturk
Hearts skipper Alim Ozturk

Ozturk, the club captain, is free of suspension and will go back into the centre of defence. Buaben may also feature after overcoming a minor injury.

Hearts coach Robbie Neilson is expected make changes to his starting line-up after the 1-0 loss to Hibs in Tuesday night’s Scottish Cup fifth-round replay. Striker Gavin Reilly is also in contention to start against United having been left on the bench at Easter Road.

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Neilson confirmed that Igor Rossi and Jamie Walker should both be fit having been substituted during the match, which Hibs won thanks to Jason Cummings’ fourth-minute goal.

“Buaben will be back and Ozturk will be back,” Neilson said. “Rossi was taken off because he had tight calves. The rest of them are fine. Walker is just back from a long-term injury and he’d worked really hard, so he tightened up a bit.

“We came back in the morning after the cup game and we spoke about it. The boys were devastated but we must move on because we have a big game on Saturday.”

Meanwhile, Hearts defender Blazej Augustyn is available to face Dundee United despite being sent off against Hibs on Tuesday. The Pole was dismissed for two bookable offences, meaning his suspension applies only to Scottish Cup matches. He will miss Hearts’ first tie in the competition next season.