Kevin Nisbet WILL return for Hibs next week against Middlesbrough as he steps up his return from long-term injury.
The key Hibs striker has been ruled out for an extended period on the sidelines with an ACL injury suffered back in February against Celtic. Lee Johnson has yet to be able to play the Scotland striker since his arrival at Easter Road and will get a first chance to see him kitted out in a friendly with the English Championship side.
His return will come as a major boost to the capital club and the supporters but it wasn't as positive news over summer signing Aiden McGeady - who could face a while longer out as he recovers from a knee issue. Hibs face Boro on Saturday, November 26 before they battle it out with city rivals FC Edinburgh in Leith on December 8 ahead of the competitive return. The Hibees lost out to Kilmarnock ahead of the World Cup break as their poor run of form and results continued. That's now five defeats in the last six league outings.
READ MORE: Lee Johnson accepts Hibs pressure as he admits 'five or six' players face Easter Road axe
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Providing an update on the duo, Johnson said: “Kevin Nisbet will play in both the friendlies we have.
“Aiden McGeady, I’m not so sure about. He’s moving pretty well, in terms of his running and he’s still got that scamper of pace over five yards.
“Hibs haven’t seen the real Aiden yet, in terms of his commitment to striking a ball or to leaving his knee lax with a volley or a corner or a free-kick from the edge of the box or a whipped delivery.
“That’s the focus with him. Can he play without pain and trust that that ligament is not going to give way again?
"That’s the only question with him, really. We know his undoubted quality but it’s that pinch we’ve got to try to get rid of.
“At the moment, he’s doing almost all parts of the sessions, apart from tackling and that full force through his right knee for a shot or a cross. He’s still getting a nip on it.
“That’s the bit that time will tell on."
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