Odel Offiah suffers medical issue as Hearts star returns to Brighton after time in hospital

Odel Offiah has returned to Brighton from Hearts due to a medical issue.

The on-loan defender has joined the capital club on a season-long loan from the Seagulls, and made a scoring start to life at Tynecastle, heading home on his debut as Steven Naismith's side ran out 4-0 winners against Partick Thistle in the Viaplay Cup earlier this month and was an unused sub in both Europa Conference League playoff legs against PAOK, which saw the Greeks win 6-1 on aggregate and dump the Edinburgh side out.

He featured in the Jambos' 1-0 defeat away to Dundee the previous weekend, but was absent for Sunday's home reverse against ten-man Motherwell, with nathaniel Atkinson playing the entire game at right back. Record Sport understands Offiah fell ill in training and was taken to hospital, and his since returned to the south coast in order to recover, with parent club Brighton overseeing his medical care.

Offiah won't be rushed back into action, but with the international break now under way, has some time to recuperate. Naismith's squad will be without their Australian contingent, while Kenneth Vargas has been called up to the Costa Rican side and Yutaro Oda is away with the Japan Under 22 squad.

Hearts are back in action a week on Saturday. Aberdeen are the visitors to Gorgie with both sides seeking to put Euro disappointments and home league defeats behind them when the domestic stuff starts again.