Dwight Gayle in. Junior Hoilett available. Elie Youan back in full training and playing in bounce games.
By David Gray’s own admission, Hibs haven’t been doing nearly enough to discombobulate and distress opposition defences during a sluggish start to the Scottish Premiership season. He’s hoping that throwing bodies – and quality – at the problem will provide some instant solutions.
Where do all the new/old faces fit in the final third? Hardly the most annoying problem any manager will face, is it?
Gray, aware that much of the attention has been on defensive howlers and ugly goal concessions, understands that his team – the worst performers in the top flight when it comes to shots on target, with just nine registered across four games – need to sharpen up all over the park, pointing out: “We’re focusing on both. It needs to both.
“A lot of the goals are self-inflicted, obviously. But we also know we need to be better going forward.
“We’re not scoring enough goals; we’re not being creative enough going forward as well. So it’s a combination, trying to get the balance right, and having the time to work on it has been great.
“With Elie and Junior back, actually having more attack-minded players in training to work on both sides of the game has been great. The competition we have with players getting up to speed helps.”
With Kieron Bowie awaiting the results of a scan on the hamstring injury sustained on Scotland Under-21 duty, of course, Gayle may end up seeing some immediate action. So let’s take a look at the options available to rookie gaffer Gray.
1. Mykola Kuharevich – Centre Forward
Ukrainian striker has already shown himself to be a real handful in his second loan stint at Hibs, leading the line in a traditional target man role. An out-and-out No. 9, he’s scored once – a brilliant diving header against Celtic – in four starts. | SNS Group
2. Kieron Bowie – Centre Forward/Wing
Everyone at Hibs will be sweating over the result of the scan on Bowie’s hamstring. Having been carefully nursed back to match fitness with a series of substitute appearances by Hibs, starting two games in five days for Scotland Under-21s proved too much as he limped out of the second game before half-time. An absolute menace to defenders, wherever he starts. | SNS Group Photo: SNS Group
3. Dwight Gayle – Centre Forward
Veteran former Newcastle and Crystal Palace striker has scored over 100 career goals. The new signing, a free agent, is 34 now. But Gray sees him as a real penalty box predator. The new Adam Le Fondre? | Getty Images
4. Elie Youan – Wing/Forward
The French attacker was in line for a big-money move away from Hibs before sustaining an awkward impact injury on his hip back in July. Back in training and with 45 minutes of bounce game action under his belt, the 25-year-old is available for selection again. | SNS Group