New boy Jonathan Spector turned out for Hibs ' reserve side on Monday as he edged closer to a top-team debut.
And there was a further boost for boss Paul Heckingbottom in the shape of goalscorer Ryan Gauld , who stepped up his injury comeback in a 5-0 win over Ross County.
The on-loan Sporting Lisbon star lasted an hour of the Development League clash at Oriam, while Spector was given his first 67 minutes in a Hibs jersey since signing a short-term deal until the end of the season.
The 33-year-old former Manchester United defender left Orlando City at the end of the MLS season and boosts Heckingbottom 's options with Ryan Porteous and Darnell Johnson both sidelined.
Gauld, meanwhile, hasn't featured since the defeat to Celtic in February having picked up a hamstring problem.
A return date hasn't yet been set for the on-loan Sporting Lisbon playmaker and Heckingbottom has insisted he won't be rushed back into action.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s brutal assessment of Hibs new boy Jonathan Spector
But Gauld looked sharp against the Staggies' second-string and he netted Hibs' third with a fine finish high into the net.
Hibs return to action on Friday night as they make the short trip to face Livingston at the Tony Macaroni Arena.
The Easter Road outfit are just one place behind Hearts in sixth, two points adrift of their Edinburgh rivals.
