Hibs: Key player faces Scottish Cup fitness battle as Fraser Murray 'likely to be ruled out'

Fraser Murray sees red for a late challenge on Barry Coffey in the 4-1 SPFL Reserve Cup semi-final loss to Celtic

Hibs boss Jack Ross will have to shuffle his pack for Friday night's Scottish Cup quarter-final with Inverness Caledonian Thistle at Easter Road with two midfielders at risk of missing out.

Joe Newell, who has enjoyed an upturn in form since the arrival of the new head coach, has registered four assists in his last two games but after pulling up in the pre-match warm-up ahead of Saturday's draw with Livingston, he is doubtful for the cup tie under the Easter Road lights.

He was replaced in the starting line-up by Lewis Stevenson with Swedish midfielder Melker Hallberg joining the bench.

However, with the former Rotherham United man set to be assessed through this week, Ross will almost certainly be making contingency plans - with Fraser Murray also out of the game after picking up a straight red card in Monday's 4-1 SPFL Reserve Cup semi-final loss to Celtic at Lennoxtown.

The 20-year-old was dismissed a minute from the end for a late challenge on Hoops' midfielder Barry Coffey and while referee Gary Hanvidge is still to submit his match report to the Scottish FA, Murray is likely to incur a two-match suspension for serious foul play with the first of those games applied to his next first-team game - Friday night's cup tie.

The possible absence of both Newell and Murray would leave Hibs short on attacking options, although the versatile Jamie Gullan - who has spoken about his progress to the Easter Road first-team suqad - is capable of operating on the left or up front.