Hearts defender Odel Offiah has returned to Brighton after a medical incident.

It is understood the 20-year-old was hospitalised following the training ground scare and he has now returned south to recuperate.

Offiah moved to Hearts on a season-long loan this summer and has already featured four times for his new club.

The versatile defensive star scored on his debut against Partick Thistle, but it remains to be seen whether he will return to Edinburgh for the remainder of the campaign.

Speaking after capturing the defender this summer, Frankie McAvoy said: “It’s great to get Odel up here and the deal done.

“He’s a big, strong lad so I’ve no concerns about him being able to handle the physicality of Scottish football.

“But more importantly, he’s a good football player and one who will give us even more options in terms of squad depth.”

Technical Director Steven Naismith said: “We’ve added some real quality to the squad over the past couple of weeks and Odel is another piece of that jigsaw.

“He’ll bring versatility to our defence which is a real plus point, and with the attributes he possesses I know he’ll excel in any position he’s asked to play."

Meanwhile, Naismith has told his Hearts players they need to use the international break to improve following a fourth consecutive defeat.

Naismith’s side have lost to Dundee and now Motherwell immediately after their Europa Conference League defeats by PAOK.

Sunday’s 1-0 loss against 10-man Motherwell means Hearts have picked up four points from their opening four cinch Premiership games.

Naismith said: “We need to be different. The squad have shown we can do it and play in a manner that is enjoyable but also successful.

“And over the last three or four games we went away from that.

”Overall we have been more concerned about doing something wrong than going out and being matchwinners.”