Jack Ross could hand backup keeper Matt Macey the chance to earn himself a longer deal at Hibernian with a Scottish Cup start against Queen of the South.
Recognised number one Ofir Marciano announced earlier this month he would quit the club on the expiry of his contract at the end of May, but has remained first choice.
However, the Israeli international’s World Cup qualifying commitments means he will not return to Edinburgh before the weekend after a mammoth journey back from Moldova via his homeland.
Marciano started all three of Israel’s games over the international break, following up a defeat to Denmark and a draw against Scotland in Tel-Aviv with a commanding 4-1 win in Chisinau.
Ross admitted it could open the door for the towering former Arsenal stopper to make a first appearance since the Premiership win over Kilmarnock in January.
Macey’s deal is up at the end of the season following his initial short-term agreement, but the Easter Road boss has hinted he could form part of his rebuild of the goalkeeping department in Leith.
Meanwhile, striker Kevin Nisbet has returned to East Mains after his Scotland debut in the thrashing of the Faroe Islands at Hampden.
A John McGinn double and strikes from Che Adams and Ryan Fraser were enough for Steve Clarke’s men to round off their international triple-header in style.
Nisbet earned a cameo appearance from the bench, but was caught offside from Scott McTominay’s through ball late on and was booked in stoppage time for a late tackle.
Predicted line up
Marciano's elongated trip back from the Moldovan capital will likely earn him a place among the substitutes heading into the frantic end of season split, but it may be the only change to the starting XI from the side that took a point against Livingston in Hibs' last league game.
Jamie Murphy is also fit again, but should start on the bench, with Nisbet joining Martin Boyle and Christian Doidge in a potent front line who have contributed all but two of the Hibees' last ten goals.
A settled defence will likely see Ryan Porteous back alongside Paul Hanlon and Paul McGinn, with Darren McGregor not risked on an artificial surface.
Jackson Irvine, Joe Newell and Alex Gogic should continue in midfield, but Chris Cadden may have to wait on his starting return.
Predicted line up: Macey, Doig, Hanlon, Porteous, McGinn, Gogic, Newell, Irvine, Boyle, Nisbet, Doidge
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