Hibernian forward Martin Boyle is set to miss his side's Scottish Premiership trip to Rangers as he undergoes surgery on a problem that has plagued him since pre-season. 

The Australian internationalist has been wearing a sizeable protective cast on his right arm since falling awkwardly during the 1-0 friendly victory over PAOK in the Netherlands and injuring his hand and wrist. 

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Boyle, who scored his fifth goal of the season in the 2-0 victory over St Johnstone at the weekend, has been playing through the pain barrier in a bid to help out the team but with head coach David Gray now enjoying greater options in attack and Hibs not in action this weekend due to it being a Premier Sports Cup weekend, a decision has been made for the 31-year-old to go under the knife in a bid to minimise the amount of time spent on the sidelines. 

Speaking after Saturday's match Boyle said of his injury: "It's not been ideal; I'm playing through pain at the moment and trying to hide it well and give my all for the team.

"I've sat down with the doctors and physios, I've spoken to a lot of people, and I think now is the right time to get it fixed.

"I've managed to hold out until the injured boys are back so hopefully I'm not out for a long period of time and I can come back firing again."

Gray added: "Boyley's been playing with that cast on; he's got a fracture in his hand. It has probably affected him a little bit but credit to him, he's always put his hand up to say, 'I'm fit, I'm available, I want to keep pushing on', against recommendations at times that he maybe needs to get something done with his hand.

"He loves playing for this football club, he gives absolutely everything all the time and I think you saw when he came on [against St Johnstone] how effective he can be."

Hibs are without Scotland under-21 forward Kieron Bowie until the new year after he aggravated a hamstring problem on international duty, while captain Joe Newell sat out Saturday's game with a groin complaint. It is hoped that the midfielder will return in time to face Rangers while Junior Hoilett and Élie Youan both made their first appearances of the league season at the weekend, giving Gray more depth in the final third - and both could feature against the Gers with Boyle missing out, while Nicky Cadden provides another option on the flanks along with brother Chris, albeit the latter started at right-back against St Johnstone with Lewis Miller on the bench. 

Boyle will also face a race against the clock to be fit for the visit of Motherwell to Easter Road on Saturday October 5 but won't be risked if he isn't deemed fit enough to feature.