Hibs boss John Hughes: It's all about win, not revenge

The defeat in Perth was one of three endured by the Easter Road outfit in the space of just six days, a run which has seen their advantage over Dundee United in the race for third place in the SPL table slashed to a solitary point.

But, as his side prepared to face Saints again, Hughes was adamant his players should forget about trying to inflict a similarly humiliating defeat on their opponents and simply focus on a win.

He said: "If you were to offer me a 1-0 win and the three points I'd shake your hand right now and take it. We are going to have to live with that 5-1 scoreline for a long time but it's not a matter of revenge, it's another game of football.

"We need to get out there, get back to working hard, keeping clean sheets while realising we are going to have to put in plenty to get anything out of a match."

Hibs' hopes of putting their miserable run behind them have been enhanced by the news influential midfielder Liam Miller is available despite being sent off at Fir Park last week.

He was due to sit out not only today's match but next week's visit from Kilmarnock as a consequence but an appeal based on Hughes' assertion a red card was too draconian a punishment for his challenge on Motherwell's Jim O'Brien was upheld. The penalty was downgraded to a yellow card, clearing the way for the Republic of Ireland ace to play.

Colin Nish is also available again following his dismissal during the hammering in Perth.

The striker missed the defeat by Motherwell but will be hit with another two-match suspension, ruling him out of the Killie game and the third Edinburgh derby of the season at Tynecastle on 20 March.