We're getting to that stage of the transfer window when the big countdown clock, if it hasn't already, is wheeled out on Sky Sports News and the like.

With under two weeks to go, it's where it can get fraught and frantic. Expect the unexpected is the general rule, but don't try to predict whether that will mean good or bad news. In short, this is, or should be the fun bit. Hibs, for their part, remain active as the summer winds towards a conclusion. David Gray has been furnished with nine new arrivals so far, and if all goes to plan, that number will extend into double figures.

Hibs have made a slow start to the new campaign, albeit two of the three consecutive losses suffered this month have been against Celtic, giving rise to a sense that the season starts properly this weekend at home to Dundee, followed by another important outing down in Kilmarnock. Work will continue on Gray's squad behind the scenes as he attempts to jolt the season into life, and there remains areas where Hibs require more depth.

An extra option at centre-back would ensure Gray is able to maintain the flexibility in defence that he's emphasised thus far. Although it's reasonable to suggest after a few weeks of alternating between 3-5-2 and 4-2-3-1 that Hibs may benefit from a more settled shape moving forward, having the options to adapt to certain situations is clearly important to the head coach. Hibs have three senior centre-backs in Warren O'Hora, Marvin Ekpiteta and Rocky Bushiri - who is reportedly attracting interest from Millwall - isn't exactly a shortage, but adding a fourth, perhaps a project player or an experienced veteran, would likely give Gray all the defensive cover he needs.

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In midfield, the pursuit of Luke McCowan confirms a desire to sign an attack-minded midfielder who can instantly impact the starting XI. Josh Campbell has been Gray's go-to in the number 10 role, but there are currently few alternate options. The hope inside Easter Road will be that Rudi Molotnikov makes that position his own in time, but justifiable excitement over his recent performances must still be tempered by the fact that he only turned 18 in May. There will be more chances for the teenager this season, and Gray will be mindful of not blocking his pathway, but the addition of an established creator could well be transformative for this team. Whether that can be McCowan remains to be seen, and the Dundee captain lining up against Hibs this weekend certainly adds an interesting subplot to an already important encounter.

If Hibs were to add McCowan or a suitable alternative, it would then be no surprise to see a departure or two in that area. Gray is arguably already overloaded with central midfield options, with Campbell, Joe Newell, Nathan Moriah-Welsh, Kwon Hyeok-kyu, Dylan Levitt, Luke Amos, Jake Doyle-Hayes, Nohan Kenneh and Allan Delferriere all still with the first-team squad. At least a few of those are likely to find minutes hard to come by, so it seems unlikely they will all remain in Leith by the time the window closes.

The departure of Dylan Vente prompted Gray to confirm that the club would explore the possibility of adding a replacement before the market closes. Interest in Simon Murray from earlier in the window, prior to the forward deciding on a return to Dundee, suggests Hibs would not be averse to adding an experienced campaigner to the frontline. To do so now would complement the relative youth of Kieron Bowie and Mykola Kukharevych, and provide a balance of options for Gray to choose from. With Bowie also able to operate wide, and Junior Hoilett's versatility a key strength of his, Gray's options already look healthier, and could do so even more by September.

Several players have already departed Easter Road this summer, but further outgoings feels likely. Sporting director Malky Mackay has made clear that a thorough clearing of the decks may not be possible until next summer when contracts expire, but there are still some who could move on before the end of the month. Kenneh and Delferriere, for example, are well out of the first-team picture in an area that is already overloaded with bodies. Elsewhere, you do question where further attacking arrivals would leave the likes of Harry McKirdy and Jair Tavares.

What does all this mean? Likely there are still plenty of plots still to be resolved in this window. Nine signings so far is, on paper, good backing for Gray, but the level of quality those additions can bring on the pitch remains to be seen. Hibs fans have been stung before with transfer windows that were high in volume but, ultimately, low on returns. It's why you probably won't find anyone on the terraces making a definitive judgement on the summer for a while yet.