Preview : Hibs (a)

We have a remarkably good recent record at Easter Road, after years of struggling there, with three wins in our last four visits. Hibs did give us an almighty beating at Fir Park in November but we won the first meeting between the teams 1-0 in Edinburgh thanks to a John Sutton goal.

Sutton celebrates scoring the winner v Hibs

And it could well be John Sutton we turn to now. It seems likely Porter will be on his way and even if we don't sell him by the weekend it might be an idea to leave him out anyway if his head is not fully focussed on the task at hand. Murphy has been used as the reserve striker more than Sutton recently but Murphy and Clarkson seems a very lightweight combination and Sutton could well excel when given proper service from the wings.

Elsewhere in the team Lasley will be available but it is hard to see him breaking into the midfield at this point in time even if he will offer good cover from the bench.

Hibs have Fletcher and Bamba suspended but in Riordan, Nish and Shiels they have players who frequently find their way onto the score sheet when we provide the opposition. They are prone to the more than occasional stinker though and while we cannot travel in expectation of a victory, we certainly shouldn't do going in fear either.

While a win would be wonderful it is important to ensure we don't lose. We'll probably end the game with mixed feelings after a 1-1 draw.

Remember the last time we were at Easter Road?