Hibernian head coach David Gray has explained why midfielder Josh Campbell wasn't included in the matchday squad for Sunday's Scottish Premiership encounter with city rivals Hearts.

The boyhood Hibee is more often than not involved in some capacity in games, either as a starter or off the bench, but his absence from Sunday's squad marked the first time in more than a calendar year that he was left out for reasons other than injury. 

Campbell spoke in the summer about relishing extra responsibilities under Gray's leadership while the head coach talked up the 24-year-old's skillset and versatility, even handing him the armband for one half of a pre-season friendly against Edinburgh City at Meadowbank.

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But he wasn't stripped for the first Edinburgh derby of the campaign with Irish midfielder Jake Doyle-Hayes taking a surprise seat on the bench and Élie Youan making an unexpected return to the starting XI. 

Speaking on Monday about Campbell's lack of involvement Gray confirmed his omission hadn't been injury-related, adding: "Josh is fine. He trained on Monday morning and comes back into contention for Wednesday night. He's just part of a group of boys who are trying their best to get into the matchday squad because we've got a lot of competition for places. 

"Nothing's changed in terms of the situation. If you ask Josh, I think he'd say his performance levels are sometimes not quite where he'd like them to be, but that's not through a lack of effort or a lack of commitment or how I see him every single day.

"He's feeling it probably more than most, because he's desperate to do well, he loves the club, and he's come through the academy. I've seen it over the years as well when you carry that burden and how much it means to you - sometimes you try too hard and things end up not quite coming off for you.

"I think he's in a place at the moment where he's desperate to do everything he can to make sure we turn our fortunes around because he's part of a group that's desperate to be successful."