What can Hibs fans expect from the January transfer window?

It's almost a reflex for managers talking about winter shopping that they caveat it with some variation of 'difficult market', and that's because there's a significant degree of truth in it. Nick Montgomery has been no exception, but there's a sense that the Hibs manager has become increasingly definitive recently about his team's need for reinforcements.

A few weeks ago, he sat in front of the assembled press and insisted no serious conversations had taken place about potential ins and outs once the New Year arrives. Montgomery does like to clutch his cards close to his chest on certain topics, and while it may true that nothing was set in stone at the start of December, it's certain that groundwork will have taken place behind the scenes.

Injuries have been unhelpfully plentiful in the first half of the campaign, and Hibs have long known that a number of players would be departing for several weeks on international duty at the onset of 2024. Montgomery confirmed on Friday that he will, indeed, be without Martin Boyle, Lewis Miller, and Rocky Bushiri when Scottish football returns from its winter reset.

That trio may have borne the brunt of the inevitable post-Edinburgh derby flak, but it remains a fact that they have been first picks for the manager for much of his still-fledgling tenure, and to have them unavailable when already light on numbers is a problem. The manager, understandably, talked up the prospect of opportunities for young players in Rory Whittaker, Josh Landers, and Rudi Molotnikov, but he will know it would be unfair to rely heavily on kids whose exposure to first-team football must be handled carefully.

READ MORE: Montgomery Q&A on Hibs internationals and Campbell injury

Ushering players back from injury will be a significant boost, and pictures from HTC this week suggest the likes of Chris Cadden, Harry McKirdy, and Jake Doyle-Hayes will ensure Montgomery's squad feels a little less threadbare in the weeks to come. The prospect of loanees being recalled to Leith to further ease the burden was put to the manager on Friday, but his response suggested it's not going to be a high priority. Fans have, justifiably, been watching the steady progress being made by the likes of Kanayo Megwa at Airdrie and making a case for giving him a chance to impress back at Easter Road. 

But there will likely still be an element of balancing short-term need against long-term interests, and Montgomery made clear he was not prepared to disrupt promising players' seasons just to plonk them on the bench between now and May. Reading between the lines, it could mean that arrivals will negate the need for taking such emergency measures.

How many arrivals there will be remains to be seen, and Montgomery has stressed that budgetary constraints will be a significant factor. As is not uncommon in this window, it could be that Hibs will rely on the loan market to provide what they need. In Brian McDermott, the club have a director of football with a contacts book chunky with connections south of the border.

Defensive cover will likely be sought, which probably would have been the case even if Miller and Bushiri were not jetting off half way around the world, as it appears Montgomery does not believe Riley Harbottle is ready to make an impact. Harbottle is the only senior outfield player who has not made been afforded any playing time under his leadership, despite making the bench on several occasions.

A lack of game-changing attacking options has been apparent of late, too, an issue that would exist regardless of injury to Adam Le Fondre. Aside from the forced introduction of Elie Youan for the injured Josh Campbell against Hearts, Montgomery's only other forward-thinking change was to throw on Christian Doidge for the closing stages. The Welshman is in line to start what is now a vastly important meeting with Motherwell on Tuesday, despite accruing minimal playing time over the last few months.

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Montgomery will surely have an eye on getting, at least, some business done early in the month in order to ensure as much time for integration as is realistically possible, which could be especially important for any loan arrivals who may have spent the last few months on the outside looking in at their parent clubs.

Whatever happens, though, Hibs' issues will not be solved in a single mid-season window, especially considering the need to simply plug gaps in the short-term. What can be done, however, is the laying of foundations for what will be a lengthy process. There's acceptance that while Montgomery has not been perfect since arriving, the squad assembled by Lee Johnson was sub-par, and he will need time to readjust it in his image.

That won't all happen in January, but he can certainly make a start.