Nacer Chadli won’t face Hearts on Thursday night as he prepares to leave Istanbul Basaksehir.
The Jambos will kick-off their Europa Conference League Group A campaign at home to the Turkish Super Lig outfit in front of a full house at Tynecastle. Robbie Neilson has watched his team’s form dip in recent games, winning just one of their last five, which included home and away leg defeats to FC Zurich, who eliminated them from the Europa League at the playoff round.
Emre Belozoglu takes his team to Gorgie this week in UEFA’s newest continental competition as group stage football returns to the capital for the first time in 18 years. Hearts last reached this stage when they saw off Braga to reach the same stage of the UEFA Cup in 2004, in which Neilson played. Former Newcastle midfielder Emre won't be in the opposite dugout to Neilson however, after being found guilty of shadow coaching.
Emre was adjudged to have been effectively coaching his team during their qualifying tie against Maccabi Netanya. The former Turkey international doesn’t hold a UEFA Pro Licence, which means he can’t be involved in matches at this level.
Basaksehir are also set to be without Chadli. The former Tottenham man is set to leave the club on a free transfer in order to return to Belgium with KVC Westerlo. He’s expected to sign a two-year deal with them after joining Basaksehir on a free transfer from Monaco two years ago.
Former Real Madrid and Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil could be involved. However, the Germany international has found game time hard to come by this season, making just three appearances in all competitions.
Jorge Grant won't be available for the hosts. The midfielder is suspended after being sent off in the home defeat to FC Zurich, receiving a second yellow card for trying to win a second half penalty.
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