Hibs are desperate to be unleashed

Having seen their games against St Mirren and Hamilton postponed, Hibs now face a hectic schedule of five matches in just 16 days over the Festive period, starting with the trip to Rugby Park.

But Calderwood insisted his players are relishing the challenge having gone "stir crazy" with much of their training over the past fortnight having been confined to indoors.

Although Hibs managed a bounce match against Raith on the pitch at Easter Road last weekend, a similar game with St Johnstone earlier this week took place indoors in Glasgow, while the players weren't able to "get on the grass" at their own East Mains centre until yesterday.

Now Calderwood detects a pent-up energy among his squad. He said: "There's been a frustration, it builds itself up and then there's a let down when you don't have a game at the weekend, last week more so than the previous week when it was called off early.

"The boys are ready, they've kept training and have been on the leash for so long we hope that when we let them go they will be ready for action and to get rid of all that adrenaline that has built up in their bodies.

"If it is okay to travel tomorrow and the pitch is fine then, fingers crossed, we'll get some action."

Although something of a newcomer to the SPL, Calderwood is no stranger to Scotland having headed north of the border on numerous scouting missions while a manager and coach in England, and he numbers tomorrow's venue as one of his favourite grounds.

"It's a nice place to go, a nice environment, I love the pitch and stadium, always have. I've been to it a couple of times watching games whether reserve or first team when I was up scouting," he said. "Tomorrow is an appetising game because we have not played for two or three weeks. Kilmarnock have had a terrific season, their style of play is awkward to play against and we'll obviously have to be aware of that."

Valdas Trakys will come into contention having shaken off a calf injury.