Hibs face luckless visitors who aren't short on ability

As his side contemplate a trip to Easter Road this weekend, Reid was pragmatic about his side's ailing fortunes in recent months, saying that his side - as was the case when Hibs were relegated in 1998 but bounced back the year after - may have to "step back to go forward again".

"It's been the case the last four or five weeks that we haven't been able to force the issue in games," explained Reid. "We've done well at times but not got the results. You have got to earn the right to get over the line, but we have not done that.

"We are the smallest club in the SPL, but the one thing we guarantee is that we will play football. We may have to take a step back to go forward again."

Reid reckons his team merited the point from a 1-1 draw in Leith earlier in the campaign, but felt aggrieved at a killer goal by Derek Riordan 15 minutes from full time at New Douglas Park in March as Hibs won 2-1. Having played only last month, the two teams will be more than familiar with their opponents, says Reid.

"Hibs will know what they're facing and, in front of their own supporters, they'll be looking for a good end to the season," said the 47-year-old former Accies and Queen of the South player. "They had a sticky spell earlier in the season but are on the right track now."

Last week, Reid declared that his side must win six of their seven remaining games to stay up - then saw his side squander a great chance to beat to Rangers, missing a penalty and going down 1-0. Accies have won just two of their 32 league games this season - away to Inverness and Motherwell - and have been rooted to the bottom of the SPL since Boxing Day. But, even if they do produce a miracle 18-point haul between now and the end of the campaign, the Lanarkshire side must rely on St Mirren losing nearly all their games.

Mirroring Hibs' renowned policy of providing first-team chances for their young players, Accies will once again call upon the services of Ali Crawford and Grant Gillespie for their trip to the Capital. Each has been included in Reid's recent squads and will look to follow a career trajectory similar to the likes of James McArthur and James McCarthy, the Wigan Athletic pair now in the plans of the national squads of Scotland and the Republic of Ireland respectively. Brian Easton, who has made 11 starts for Championship side Burnley this season, is another example of the type of player Accies have reared recently.

"Hibs have a great youth system and great facilities, which is something we don't have," said Reid. "I think they were the leaders in terms of bringing through young players years ago, and they now continue to bring their young players through."

Reid is glad to have the influential pair of Simon Mensing and captain Alex Neil back in action, but will be without defender David Elebert who was forced off against Rangers with a hamstring injury last weekend and has not trained this week. Former Hibs defender Martin Canning and veteran Mark McLaughlin are doubtful.