Hibs injury boost over duo as summer signing and key man return to UEFA squad list
Hibs have received an injury boost ahead of their latest Conference League qualifier.
Hibs injury comeback hopes over playmakers Jamie McGrath and Callum Wright have increased with both returning to the club’s UEFA squad list.
The Hibees have missed the pair for matches with Malisheva and Motherwell so far this season with Shkendija up next in leg one of their Conference League third round qualifier. Whoever emerges victorious from the clashes at Easter Road and in North Macedonia next week will either face IFK Goteborg of Sweden or Belgium’s Gent for a place in the lucrative league phase which would be worth well into seven figures for Hibs.
Neither summer signing Wright or key star of last term McGrath were named in the squad to face Malisheva in the second round but both have been added to the list pre-Shkendija. It means they will be eligible to play should they be declared fit and their selection indicates they are closing in on that status. Jack Iredale also makes the list after appendix surgery but how much he is involved remains to be seen.
Who will miss Hibs European ties vs Shkendija?
Nicky Cadden remains out with a calf injury and Rocky Bushiri is a long-term absentee. Alasana Manneh remains omitted from the list with minutes set to be limited at Easter Road this season. Head coach David Gray has had to use alternative options in the number 10 position so far this term and may need to do so again in Europe. Martin Boyle has occupied that position when required while Josh Campbell can also step into the void if need be.
A 2-1 defeat was inflicted on Hibs in their Premiership opener against Motherwell ahead of their latest continental battle. Gray said: “I think the immediate feeling is real disappointment and frustration because of the manner in which we ended up losing the game. I believe, especially with the way the second half went, we should have come away with three points.
“If not three points, then at least a point. The goal we conceded sums it up. It was real naivety, and that's what cost us the game. Even in the first half, giving away the penalty was poor. Looking at the balance of play, I thought we had the better moments in the first half without creating any real clear-cut chances. I thought we were much better in the second half in terms of the intensity to get after Motherwell. I certainly got that reaction at half-well, and I thought we were miles better. We got back to 1-1, and I thought there was only one team that was going to go on and win the game.”