Hibernian head coach David Gray expects to have two key players available for the first game of the Scottish Premiership season against St Mirren on Sunday. 

The Easter Road boss has had to manage the workload of certain players during pre-season and the Premier Sports Cup group stages and while he doesn't yet have a full squad to choose from, he won't have to dip into the club's youth ranks to line his bench.

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Warren O'Hora, who limped out of the 4-0 victory over Peterhead last weekend, has shrugged off the knock he picked up and will be available, while Chris Cadden is primed for a return to the matchday squad after suffering an injury during the 5-0 win at Elgin in the first game of the league cup campaign. 

However, his forward ranks remain light with Harry McKirdy and Élie Youan not available. 

"Élie is still out. Harry won’t be available for this weekend either, he’s had an illness - a chest infection," Gray revealed. "He is improving every single day but we should have a couple back, Chris Cadden and Warren O’Hora. We’re in a good place."

Youan's future remains uncertain, having been the subject of transfer interest from clubs in France and Italy but the former Nantes youngster is fully focused on getting back fit for Hibs, according to his manager. 

"Élie picked up a knock in the Queen’s Park game, which was disappointing for him and us. But right now, he is a Hibs player and fully focussed on trying to get back fit and being an asset for us."

Gray will be watching the second leg of St Mirren's Europa Conference League second qualifying round clash with Valur of Iceland and while he hopes Sunday's opponents progress for the benefit of Scottish football, he also wants his side to emulate the Buddies by finishing in the European places in May.

“They’ve got a really good chance tonight. I’ll be watching that for selfish reasons," he added. 

“But they’ve done really well, last season especially, to earn the right to go and compete in Europe. That’s something that we had as a club last year – and definitely something we’re aiming to repeat next season."