The defender has received five yellow cards this term and another could trigger a two-match ban.

Hearts host Kilmarnock on Saturday before their final game against Gretna at Fir Park on Tuesday.

Caretaker manager Stephen Frail told Hearts News: "I don't see the point in risking him between now and the end of the season.

"Any booking he might pick up would see him miss the first two games of next season and that is something we want to avoid if at all possible.

"His season is far from finished, though. He will play in Robbie Neilson's testimonial game on Sunday and he is obviously in the Scotland squad for the friendly against the Czech Republic at the end of the month, when he'll be hoping to win his first cap."

Midfielder Ruben Palazuelos will miss the first game of the new season after going through the disciplinary threshold with his caution against Falkirk.