Hibs to field trialists against Vale of Leithen

Alan Stubbs sits in the dugout ahead of kick-off. Picture: SNS

Adam Buxton, a 22-year-old defender, is currently attached to Wigan, and spent time on loan last season with Burton Albion and Accrington Stanley.

Predominantly a right-back, Buxton can also play at centre half or on the left, and captained Wigan’s development squad during the 2012/13 season.

He travelled with the Latics to Ohio and Pittsburgh during 20132/14 pre-season, making three appearances including a start against MLS outfit Columbus Crew, and also featured against Dundee United on the team’s return to England.

Nathan Burke has been with Liverpool’s academy since joining its Under-10 level, making his first appearance for the Under-18 side during the 2011/12 pre-season, before playing regularly towards the tail end of that season, making the step up from the Under-16s.

Described as a ‘fierce competitor’, Burke can play at right back as well as in his favoured central midfield position and came up through the Liverpool ranks alongside Michael Ngoo and Henoc Mukendi, who had loan spells with Hearts and Partick Thistle respectively.

Hibs will be fielding two different line-ups for each half, while striker Paul Heffernan has been left out as a pre-caution but is due to return to training at the start of next week.

First half: Kleton Perntreou, Adam Buxton, Neil Martyniuk, Michael Nelson (C), Tom Gardiner; Lewis Stevenson, Owain Tudur Jones, Max Todd, Danny Handling, Jason Cummings.

Second half: Sean Brennan, Aaron Dunsmore, Callum Booth, Jordon Forster, Paul Hanlon, Nathan Burke, Liam Craig, Alex Harris, Callum Crane, Sam Stanton, Lewis Allan, Jordan Sinclair.