Hibs team news: Trio face late fitness tests ahead of Dundee United clash

Hibs boss Shaun Maloney will give three key players until the last possible moment to prove their fitness ahead of Saturday’s must-win Scottish Premiership meeting with Dundee United.

The Easter Road side need three points to keep alive not only their place in the top six, but also their fourth-place aspirations, and while they have welcomed back a couple of key players, there are three other individuals who face a race against time.

Matt Macey missed the trip to Aberdeen after appearing to suffer a recurrence of the thigh problem that kept him out of the goalless draws against Dundee and St Johnstone while Josh Campbell and Sylvester Jasper picked up knocks while on international duty with Scotland Under-21s, and Bulgaria Under-21s respectively.

All three players were involved in training on Friday and could all be fit, giving Maloney a rare selection dilemma while also potentially boosting his options form the bench.

Hibs players were put through their paces at East Mains on Friday

Long-term absentees Kyle Magennis, Demi Mitchell, and Kevin Nisbet remain sidelined while January signing Harry Clarke, who returned to training this week after shaking off a hamstring problem, has a chance of involvement for the first time when Tam Courts’ side comes to Leith.

Hibs are already without the suspended Ryan Porteous but club captain Paul Hanlon is fully fit after making his return to action as a second-half substitute against the Dons, as is Joe Newell, who signed a contract extension this week.

Dundee United are without Ian Harkes, while fellow midfielders Calum Butcher and Dylan Levitt are doubtful. Max Biamou, who hasn’t kicked a ball since November, also remains sidelined.

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