Josh Campbell and Martin Boyle edging closer to Hibs return

The midfielder has been out of action since suffering an ankle injury during the Edinburgh derby defeat to Hearts on December 27. The issue did not require surgery, but was significant enough to sideline Campbell for a significant period.

Manager Nick Montgomery revealed the injury also affected the 24-year-old’s knee, and that contributed further to the length of his absence. Campbell has been back on the grass recently but the Hibs medical team have held him back from contact training as they carefully monitor his rehabilitation.

But as his recovery continues to progress, Montgomery says the plan is for the academy graduate to re-join his team-mates in a full contact session next week. Campbell will also be tested out in a bounce game before he returns to first-team action, but Montgomery is confident he will bounce back strongly.

“Josh will be back in full training next week,” he confirmd. “I think he'll need a bounce game but in terms of contact I think he'll get back into full contact next week. That will hopefully be us getting Josh back in the next couple of weeks which will be a big boost. It was a nasty one - it was his knee and his ankle at the same time - but Josh is a tough kid and has worked really hard to get himself back into training. Hopefully he passes the next few things he's doing and will be in full training next week.”

Martin Boyle is also progressing steadily after being taken to hospital with concussion during the Scottish Cup quarter-final defeat to Rangers at Easter Road earlier this month. Boyle was treated at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary after receiving extensive medical attention on the pitch following an accidental collision with Rangers centre-back John Souttar.

But he too is expected to return after the international break, and Montgomery feels a period of rest may actually be of benefit to a player who spent several weeks at the Asian Cup with Australia in January. The winger was at Stark’s Park on Wednesday night as a Hibs XI beat Raith Rovers 5-1 in a testimonial match for lifelong Hibee Lewis Vaughan.

“Martin is feeling a lot better,” said the manager. “Most important is we've got Martin back in and we'll manage him over the next couple of days, and hopefully by next week we can get him back into full training. He doesn't need a bounce game to get him ready. He's had lots of games and lots of travel with the national team this year, so if anybody is going to benefit from a break it will be Martin.

“We're just looking forward to getting him back into training once he's been cleared of everything, but seeing him there on Wednesday with David Marshall, who has a sore neck, and all the first team boys, it's great to show full support for Lewis and his achievement.”

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Hibs return to action on March 30 as they travel to Ibrox looking to secure a place in the Premiership top six after the split kicks in. Montgomery has several players away on international duty but expects business as normal next week to prepare his side for a vital fixture.

“We're always preparing for the next game,” he said. “Once we get all the boys back from international duty and everyone back in next week we'll be preparing as normal for the game.”