Sol Bamba and Merouane Zemmama set to make Hibs comeback

• Sol Bamba (left) and Merouane Zemmama

Hughes' players moved to within two points of the Glasgow side thanks to Danny Galbraith's last gasp winner at Celtic Park, a victory achieved without either Bamba or playmaker Zemmama.

However, Hughes disclosed that Bamba was poised to return to training having returned from international duty with the Ivory Coast at the African Cup of Nations while Zouma, who was rated "touch and go" in midweek, will also come into the reckoning for tomorrow.

Hibs had to wait until the Ivory Coast squad returned to their own country following their shock exit from the African Cup before securing the release of Bamba, quickly booking flights for their star to return to Edinburgh.

Hughes said: "Because of the security situation, Sol had to stay with the squad until they returned to the Ivory Coast but, and this has impressed me since I arrived at how the club is run, we stepped in and arranged to get him back as quickly as possible.

"We have missed Sol, he gives us that big, physical presence."

Bamba's attributes may, accordingly, be deployed against Saints big hitmen Billy Mehmet and Michael Higdon, while Hughes is also pondering a return for Zemmama who has been out with a hamstring problem.

He said: "I thought Wednesday night could well have been Zouma's stage but he has been training and, fingers crossed, he'll also be ready for St Mirren."

Hughes admitted, though, he was worried the exertions of Wednesday night's match could have an impact on his players.

He said: "There is always a real concern at the reaction you get following a match against either side of the Old Firm. It takes so much both mentally and physically to get a result against them so we have to make sure we still have that focus. But Saints are in the same position having played Rangers."