Jamie Murphy should return for Hibernian when the squad return to domestic action following the international break after missing the Easter Road side’s last two games through injury.
The forward has endured a stuttering start to his career in Leith after making an initial loan switch from Rangers in the summer, with short bursts of starts pockmarked by a series of niggling problems.
Jack Ross cut the squad to a tight 20 last year, but their numbers have been further depleted in recent weeks by issues with a number of fringe players and the loan departures of Stevie Mallan and Stephen McGinn.
Teenager Steven Bradley has also been missing with a slight knock, while Kyle Magennis has only recently recovered from illness.
But Ross is hopeful of boasting a full squad by the time his international cohort return to East Mains after watching his side extend their lead in third heading into the Premiership split with a draw at Livingston.
Alex Gogic, Ofir Marciano and Kevin Nisbet are all on duty for their respective national sides over the next ten days.
Hibs face a Scottish Cup trip to Queen of the South before they resume their European bid in league action as part of a hectic end of season Premiership split.
And the Easter Road boss is looking forward to the run in with a deeper pool of players to choose from.
“We’ve only had 18 outfield players training this week and that’s us,” he said.
“We’ve got Jamie [Murphy] Sean Mackie and young Steven Bradley and that’s it in terms of players but hopefully both of them, maybe not Mackie, will return after the international break.
“We’re looking forward to the break but then after that we’re hopefully going into the last five games in the split and the Scottish Cup with a full complement of players.”
He added: “Post-split games are tough, every one of them against good teams but we’re in a good position at the moment.”
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