Nish could miss Hibs clash with Dundee United

The Easter Road hitman claimed two goals on his last visit to Tayside, clinching fourth place and what proved to be an all too brief sojourn into the Europa League on the final day of last season.

Nish notched his first goal of the season in Calderwood's debut match as Hibs manager, a 4-2 defeat against Aberdeen at Pittodrie, but damaged his right ankle as he landed having powered a header into the Dons' net. He was one of three Hibs stars to be forced off because of injury, midfielders David Wotherspoon and Kevin McBride having departed before the start of the second half but, Calderwood admitted, it is Nish who is causing him the greatest concern.

Calderwood was anticipating McBride returning to training today while Wotherspoon, according to the Hibs boss, is "recovering better than expected" and could be in line to return in a match which, should the Edinburgh club record a much-needed win, would see them leapfrog a United side which has also endured an indifferent start to the season.

"Of the three, Colin is the more serious," said Calderwood. "It was a sore one, a big boy coming down from a height as he did. If he is out that would be a little bit of a problem but we'll have to wait and see."

There was better news for Calderwood, who intends to take in tonight's Co-operative Insurance Cup tie between United and Motherwell at Fir park, on leading scorer Derek Riordan who started from the bench at the weekend having failed to train in the build-up to that match due to a calf injury.

Riordan did play the entire second half but suffered no reaction and returned to training with his team-mates yesterday.