Easter Road boss Lee Johnson has a handful of injury concerns and could make late calls on Élie Youan, Josh Campbell, and Jake Doyle-Hayes, all of whom travelled with the squad, but he won’t risk long-term damage to his players when selecting his team. Speaking ahead of the game he said: “If it’s a gamble it needs to be an educated gamble. You can't put the player at risk for the long term.”
Johnson is looking for a reaction to last weekend’s 2-1 defeat by Motherwell which he described as ‘pretty hurtful’, adding: “In a three-day period we have gone from showing absolute identity in the Luzern game to no identity at all.”
Here’s how Hibs could line up in Switzerland…
9. Right wing - Martin Boyle
Named on the bench at Motherwell 'on medical advice', which may have been along the lines of minimising his involvement with a view to starting against the Swiss tonight. Would be a fairly big surprise if he doesn't start. Picture: Ross MacDonald / SNS Group Photo: Ross MacDonald - SNS Group
10. Left wing - Jordan Obita
Might be a bit of a surprise option but if there are questions over Élie Youan's fitness it might make sense to start Obita and bring Youan off the bench if required rather than risk the Frenchman from the start. Obita scored the third in the first leg after replacing Youan and could start in Luzern. Picture: Paul Devlin / SNS Group Photo: Paul Devlin - SNS Group
11. Centre-forward - Dylan Vente
Dutchman could get the nod after a goal and assist in the first leg despite struggling against Motherwell. The only question is if Johnson wants something different in attack but it could also depend on how he believes Luzern will set up. Vente is well used to being the central man in a front three, or playing as a lone striker. Picture: Ross Parker / SNS Group Photo: Ross Parker - SNS Group