Hibs head coach Jack Ross insists Kevin Nisbet and Ryan Porteous’ continued absence from the first team is simply down to the fact that the side are winning.
The pair have been omitted from the last three starting line-ups amid intense speculation surrounding Nisbet, the subject of a reported £3 million bid from Birmingham, and Porteous, who was wanted by Millwall, at the end of the January transfer window.
Nisbet, in-particular, was unsettled by the interest after handing in a transfer request on deadline day in a futile bid to force through a move to the Championship side.
Hibs have fared well without two of their prized assets after claiming victories over Dundee United, St Mirren and Aberdeen with the same starting XI.
And Ross, whose side are five points clear in third place ahead of Saturday’s trip to Ross County, admits he is reluctant to tinker with the side.
Ross said: “They’ve been fine, initially there was a lot of speculation when we left them out of the first game at Tannadice.
“On the back of that the players who came in have performed really well and I’ve always worked that way that players deserve to keep possession of the jersey if they are performing well.
“They’ve understood that and to be fair to them they have been vocal in their support.
“I can hear Ryan from behind me in the technical area how much he wants Hibs to be successful and Kevin the same.
“They’ll be okay, it’s nice for me to be able to do that, to have won games and performed well and that increase in competition for places is obviously healthy as well.”
Ross, meanwhile, is hopeful that central midfield pair Alex Gogic and Jackson Irvine will both recover from shoulder knocks in time for the trip to Dingwall.
Cypriot international Gogic played the full game in the 2-0 victory over the Dons at the weekend, despite needing treatment in the first half, while Jackson was forced off after the break.
Ross added: “Jackson and Alex both suffered similar injuries to their shoulder, both impact injuries.
“It’s sore for them but it’s a little bit more pleasing for me that there is no dislocation.
“At least we have a free week for them to recover because I thought both of them were excellent against Aberdeen, I thought they were both terrific in that area of the pitch.
“We were pleased with their contribution and hopefully they will recover for Saturday.”
