Returning Hibs trio in frame for Irish test

Crocked Hibs trio Michael Hart, Danny Galbraith and Steven Thicot are set to be given game time in Monday night's Easter Road friendly against Bohemians after all three returned to training this week.

Hart has missed the last three matches with a knee injury; Galbraith has sat out five games with a back problem and Thicot has been out for eight with a groin injury. But, provided they suffer no adverse reactions in training, their fitness programmes will be stepped up ahead of the Edinburgh derby on Sunday, April 3.

Manager Colin Calderwood won't be rushing any of them, stressing his desire to have everyone - apart from goalkeeper Graham Stack who is due to have shoulder surgery - available for the run-in. However, the visit of Dublin-based Bohemians allows him the chance to ease the trio back into action given five first team regulars will be departing on international duty next week.

Paul Hanlon, David Wotherspoon and Callum Booth are all in Scotland's Under-21 squad which travels to Belgium for a friendly next Thursday after a training camp, while Icelandic kid Victor Palsson is part of his country's Under-21 squad which will play Ukraine and England away. On-loan Celtic youngster Richie Towell will be part of the Republic of Ireland Under-21 squad to face Portugal in Agueda next Friday. He isn't due to depart until after Monday night's match, but given he's likely to play later in the week, Calderwood could well decide to give another of his squad a run-out instead.

Having been born in Dublin, 19-year-old Towell is, however, keen to play against Bohemians, revealing: "It should be a good game - but I support St Patrick's Athletic who are their rivals."