David Gray is leaning towards picking Dwight Gayle as his Hibs striker replacement for the crocked Mykola Kukharevych against Ross County.
But the Easter Road boss stressed that he does have a plentitude of option to consider ahead of the Premiership clash this afternoon.
Kukharevych will miss at least the next couple of weeks due to a groin problem having started 13 league games for Hibs so far.
The forward on loan from Swansea will be watching on from the sidelines as Hibs look to overtake the Staggies in the table with a win.
And there are signs that veteran striker Dwight Gayle will lead the line, which would only be his second start for the club since arriving in September.
Dwight Gayle to start for Hibs?
Gray said: “If you’ve got someone like Gayley, who’s played as many games as he has at the very highest level, knows the role inside out, it’s definitely something that when you’ve got that level of knowledge and experience that you can rely on.
“It’s great to have in your squad. I think you’ve even seen that when he’s come on in games, he’s done well.
“Obviously, Martin Boyle can play up there, Elie Youan plays up there, Junior Hoilett, Josh Campbell, Harry McKirdy, they’re all forward-thinking players that can all play up there, so I still have the options for it, which is great.”
Hibs crowd ‘hugely important’
Gray added that Easter Road is a fantastic place to play and winning their home games is crucial in getting as much support from the stands as possible.
He said: “Yeah, I think that’s hugely important. I think any team, you always want to win your home games.
“And I know how good it can be when you are playing well and winning games at home. It’s a fantastic place to play, the crowd get right behind you.
“At the same time, it’s up to us to put on the performance levels to make sure we do that, but the better your home record can be definitely stands you in good stead.
“Rightly so, the expectation will be us to go and win, especially at home. But we know exactly how the game’s going to be, it’ll be a real difficult game, they’ll come with that game plan to try and frustrate us, trying to turn the crowd.
“So you need to have the mental strength, but also the game plan and awareness to make sure you do everything you possibly can.
“I think it’s about remembering what we’ve done well so far this season, building on the last few performances.”