Crocked Hibs strikers Agogo and Sodje target return for derby clash

Hibs boss Colin Calderwood has revealed he expects crocked strikers Akpo Sodje and Junior Agogo to be ready for the first Edinburgh derby of the season.

Calderwood has been forced to deploy Garry O'Connor as a lone striker so far this season, after Sodje suffered medial knee ligament damage against Livingston and Agogo picked up a thigh problem in only his second Easter Road training session.

But, while O'Connor was forced to go it alone again in today's friendly with English Premier League outfit Sunderland, Sodje and Agogo are both poised to step up their training regimes over the course of the next few days with the hope they'll rejoin the squad by the end of the week.

And to that end, Calderwood claimed playing Sunderland today rather than the scheduled SPL clash with St Johnstone had bought Hibs some time in returning the pair to full fitness.

He said: "They've been outside this week, we are just beginning to work them through these next seven or eight days as they need a week of conditioning. Things are going all right, they are going quite well actually."

Provided there are no setbacks, Calderwood would then look to start giving Sodje, who scored six goals in 13 starts following his January arrival from Charlton, and Ghana internationalist Agogo, game time.

Asked when he felt the pair would finally be ready, Calderwood replied: "The derby is a good focus, that would give us three weeks or three-and-a-half weeks to get a game in them."

Hibs next SPL match comes next Saturday when they travel to Kilmarnock which, according to Calderwood's comments would appear too soon to contemplate involving either player.

The following week's visit of St Mirren may be more realistic but Calderwood, who admitted only having O'Connor at his disposal was "not ideal," will be desperate to have all three strikers available when Hibs travel to Tynecastle on the final Sunday of the month.

Sean O'Hanlon and Martin Scott are also expected to return to training next week, the defender having broken a toe on the opening day of the season, while the midfielder has just had the six stitches inserted in a gash sustained in the friendly at Blackpool removed.

Meanwhile, Hibs have confirmed their second round Scottish Communities League Cup tie against Berwick Rangers will take place at Easter Road on Tuesday, August 23 at 7.45pm.