Hibs vs Hearts confirmed team news for Edinburgh derby as injury concerns verdict arrives in major changes

Team news for the latest Edinburgh derby between Hibs and Hearts has been confirmed by both sides.

There were some Jambos concerns for the likes of Beni Baningime, Craig Halkett and Cammy Devlin in the build-up to this clash, with fears over the latter realised. Overall it’s four changes to the visiting line-up from the team that defeated Motherwell as injured Oisin McEntee, Devlin, Blair Spittal and Alexandros Kyziridis go out for Michael Steinwender, Jordi Altena, Marc Leonard and Pierre Landry Kabore.

Hibs meanwhile make three changes from the side that lost to Aberdeen last time out with the suspended Grant Hanley replaced by Rocky Bushiri in central defence. Martin Boyle comes in up top for Dane Scarlett and Nicky Cadden replaces Jack Iredale. The Jambos head into this joint-top of the league but will possibly know a win is needed to stay top come kick-off, depending how Rangers vs Motherwell pans out at Ibrox. Hibs will also have a keen eye on that game as defeat for the Steelmen would allow them to go joint fourth with a win, boosting their hopes of achieving a European qualifier spot.

What have Hearts and Hibs said ahead of latest Edinburgh derby

Hibees boss David Gray said ahead of the game: “As you'd imagine, the players are looking forward to this one, as is everybody involved. It’s a brilliant game to come back to. It's been a couple of weeks since our game at Aberdeen, which was really disappointing. In the end, we have managed to get a bounce game in as well, so the players keep ticking over. I think being this close to the end of the season, it is important you try and get minutes into players to make sure they're fresh and ready to go.

“Everyone's in a good place that is going to be available for the game. That's the challenge between now and the end of the season. There are five cup finals to go, and none is bigger than the one that comes this weekend. The magnitude of the game is there for everyone. We know that. It's a brilliant game to look forward to, a brilliant game to come back to.”

Jambos counterpart Derek McInnes said: “I think when you look at the fixtures, each one will be a different task. But every one of them is a really tough game, and I think it will be very competitive. Arguably, we could be getting the toughest game in a lot in the first one, with the dynamics of the derby. It's a great game to be involved in. For us, it's trying to take each game as it comes along. I think it'll be tough for each game, each team, because I think the competitive nature of the top six, the better teams.

“There's still so much to play for, for Falkirk, Hibs and Motherwell. They've got their own fights to deal with. Each game will be very competitive, very exciting. I'm just delighted to be part of it. We just try and deal with the first game, which is difficult enough, for obvious reasons We've got to go there and try and be the confident-hearted team I know we're capable of being and winning a game that we know we can win. But we've got it all to do to go and do that.

Hibs vs Hearts confirmed teams for Edinburgh derby

Hibs XI: Sallinger; O’Hora, Bushiri, Obita; Passlack, Chaiwa, McGrath, Barlaser, N Cadden; Boyle, Elding.

Hearts XI: Schwolow; Steinwender, Halkett, Findlay, Kingsley; Altena, Leonard, Baningime, Braga; Kabore, Shankland.

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