Hibs head coach Paul Heckingbottom insists Martin Boyle is in line to make his first competitive outing for seven months in Saturday’s Betfred Cup visit of Alloa.
The Australian internationalist sat out the weekend’s Group C penalties victory at Stirling Albion to work on his fitness back at the club’s East Mains training base alongside striker Flo Kamberi, who has been linked with a move to Brentford.
Boyle featured in pre-season but has not appeared in a senior match since being forced to undergo knee surgery on an injury he sustained last December while on national team duty.
However, Heckingbottom admits the pair will be ready for a return to action in the visit of the Wasps.
Heckingbottom said: “Boyler and Flo were doing extra fitness work back at the training ground and they’ll be back in and playing next week.
“It’s three tough days with the squad at the start of the week and then we’ll be lighter with them on Thursday and Friday, ready for that next game.
“We want to get sharper performances and we need to be working and pushing them.”
Heckingbottom has also revealed that defender Ryan Porteous will return to full training this week after undergoing knee surgery in January, while captain Davie Gray is still trying to shake off a knock.
He added: “We’re looking okay, Ryan Porteous is going to join in training with us this week, it’s too early for him to get any minutes but it’s great to have him back in training and his pre-season starts now.
“Davie is recovering from swelling in his knee so hopefully we’ll have him back training sooner rather than later.”
