Merouane Zemmama and Darryl Duffy in frame for toiling Hibs

Colin Calderwood yesterday revealed he was considering placing the pair on the bench, despite their lack of competitive action. The bad weather has further hindered their progress, with Zemmama not having played a league match for Hibs since damaging his cruciate ligament against Falkirk in March. Duffy was signed on loan in the summer from Bristol Rovers by John Hughes, Calderwood's predecessor, but broke a bone in his foot in training and has yet to make his debut for the Easter Road club.

With Hibs sorely in need of a boost, both could be fast-tracked onto the substitutes' bench tomorrow night, as Calderwood bids to end a worrying run of form that has seen his side slip to third bottom of the SPL after just two victories in his eight matches in charge. Both players were given a training session on the grass at Easter Road on Sunday, prior to Hibs' defeat to Aberdeen. "We are sitting here thinking about involving them," said Calderwood. "Both of them are people who can score a goal and are slightly different to what we have."

Kurtis Byrne, another striker, has also been recalled from a loan period with East Fife, but won't be available to play until after Saturday's derby with Hearts. Calderwood, who revealed that defender Callum Booth has also been recalled from a loan spell with Brechin, is looking forward to working with Byrne. "What he has is an instinct for sniffing out a chance," he said. "If he had been here he would have certainly been on the bench (this season]."