If Hibernian had the same number of strikers on their books as they do central midfielders then perhaps they wouldn't be sitting second-bottom of the 'goals scored' column in the Scottish Premiership table, with David Gray's side having managed just 11 goals in 12 games. 

The fact that only the top five in the table have conceded fewer goals would be a positive were it not for the fact that the Easter Road side are consistently shot-shy despite having Martin Boyle, Dwight Gayle, Junior Hoilett, Mykola Kukharevych, and Élie Youan available in attack.  

Summer signing Kieron Bowie showed a promising start to life in green and white, scoring once in four substitute appearances before a hamstring injury suffered on international duty with Scotland Under-21s ruled him out of action for a significant amount of time, increasing the pressure on Kukharevych in Gray's lone-striker formation. 

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It was a sickener for Bowie, who had only just returned from a similar injury, a hammer blow for Gray who was already under pressure, and disappointing for Hibs fans who were hoping for a turnaround in results. 

There seems little chance that the former Raith Rovers and Fulham forward will return to action ahead of schedule, but Gray is pleased with the progress the 22-year-old is making. 

Revealing that Bowie has already made a return to light training, Gray explained: "He was back on the grass last week. I think it's more of a change of scenery for him getting out and having a jog rather than being stuck in the gym doing his work. 

"He's probably going to need to be pulled back a little bit because that's the type of guy he is. We need to make sure we're not pushing him too quickly because he's so keen to do everything right and push himself to get back as quickly as he can. But the timescale will still be what it is, around Christmas time, or just after Christmas."

Gray has been impressed with Bowie's determination to get back fit but also the way he has seamlessly integrated into the first-team squad - and his mental strength in overcoming another injury hurdle, something the head coach experienced himelf during his playing days. 

“The feedback I get every single day from the physios and the strength and conditioning department is he's a very good professional. He’s desperate to get back, does every single rep, does everything properly - everything you'd expect from him," Gray continued. 

“He's just a really honest, hard-working boy. He stays really upbeat and credit to him because he'd just got back from a long-term injury and then to go and get it again mentally is really tough. 

“I've been there myself, it's a real challenge because he's a young boy coming up and he started really well here so to get that setback was a real blow for him but he's responded in a really positive way.

“He's still around the boys all the time. I quite enjoy winding him up just in general because he's got two young kids and he's just got a dog at the same time just to make things harder for him. I don't know why he did that but it kind of sums him up.

"He's a brilliant character around the group and he fits in well with the boys. I've not heard anyone say a bad word about him and I've never experienced any issues with him at all. He's been a really good addition."