Return of David Gray and Darren McGregor will give Hibs an extra 'edge'

David Gray is in his second week of full training

Hibs No.2 John Potter believes the return of long-term injury victims Darren McGregor and David Gray will add a further “edge” to the Easter Road squad.

The experienced defenders have been out of action since August with an abdominal problem and a knee injury respectively but are now close to a return to action.

McGregor was an unused substitute at Celtic Park last weekend while club captain Gray is in his second week of full training following the recent return of Martin Boyle and the earlier comeback of Scotland Under-21 defender Ryan Porteous who, like the flying winger, had required knee surgery.

Potter said: “Darren and David back in full training adds that little bit to the squad. People desperately want to pay and hopefully that edge and competitiveness helps.

“Players are playing for their jerseys, those playing want to keep it and those behind are trying to take them off them, so for us that’s good. It’s going to be difficult trying to pick a team.

“I think there’s a good edge to training, people want to play and hopefully we can get the best out of them.”