David Gray hasn't ruled Chris or Nicky Cadden out of Sunday's Edinburgh derby as the pair push to be declared fit.

The Hibs head coach says the twin brothers are being continually assessed ahead of Hearts' visit to Easter Road this weekend. Nicky has missed the last three matches and, last Friday, Gray revealed he would be back within seven to 10 days. Chris, meanwhile, limped out of Saturday's 3-2 defeat to Dundee United at Tannadice with what appeared to be a muscle injury.

Hibs will be without captain Joe Newell following his sending off at Tannadice, but welcome back Nectar Triantis, who served a one-match ban for a two-booking dismissal the previous week at home to Motherwell. Gray reported no further injury concerns at his Thursday press conference, and suggested he will give both Caddens every opportunity to prove their fitness ahead of a pivotal fixture.

"Joe will be out, and obviously Chris Cadden obviously picked up an injury in the game, we'll just see how he goes," said Gray. "And then Nicky's getting closer all the time as well, but apart from that we're looking quite strong."

Read more:

Gray was then asked if that meant Nicky Cadden was ruled out of the game, replying: "Not entirely, no. Nectar will come back obviously from suspension. It seems to be the way it is at the moment, one comes in and then one goes out again. But, like I've already touched on then, we've got good strength and depth, but it's all well and good saying that. 

"We need to make sure we're changing that, seeing the performances right through, and taking what we're doing with training pitch into the game and making sure we turn this run into a positive one at the start of the weekend."