Hibs hero Paul Hanlon is set for a baptism of fire in the 2022/23 season with a return set to beckon in this weekend's Edinburgh derby.
Lee Johnson's men bounced back from an early Premier Sports Cup exit with a last-gasp 1-0 victory against St Johnstone in their opening Premiership match on Saturday. Attentions now turn to a fiery contest with Hearts at Easter Road on Sunday lunchtime and after a summer of dealing with injuries and work permit issues, Hibs are beginning to gain more options.
Hanlon has missed the start of the season with a fitness concern but Football Scotland report 'he could return to the squad' when Robbie Neilson brings his Jambos team to Leith. He is expected to get game time in a reserve team clash at some stage before Sunday and should he come through that test without harm, then he will be available for selection on Sunday. A Hibs start, however, is unlikely.
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It would be a big boost for the club though to have a player who knows all about this fixture in and around the dressing room.
Hearts meanwhile are sweating on the fitness of their own left-sided defender after Stephen Kingsley missed Saturday's win against Ross County.
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Both clubs started their league campaigns with a win and will be desperate to maintain their 100% records in a huge encounter.
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