Hibs have mounted their impressive recent form surge without some key players.
The Hibees are looking up the way now and are potential outside challengers for third, which looked very unlikely at one stage when they were bottom of the table.
This has been achieved by a brilliant run of eight league games without defeat and just one loss from 11 for the Easter Road men, although David Gray was disappointed with the most recent Ross County draw.
Even more remarkable is the fact they have achieved this without the help of some very important players.
Club captain Joe Newell has missed the last four league games with a groin problem, while Elie Youan has been out for five matches.
Centre-back and summer signing Marvin Ekpiteta hasn’t been seen since early November as he recovers from a thigh problem.
The squad has been boosted by the arrival of January signing Alasana Manneh but gray hopes to have the trio available soon too.
Elie Youan Hibs injury update
Youan had a setback in his recovery and while he is now getting closer, is unlikely to be involved against Aberdeen on Saturday.
Manager David Gray told the Edinburgh Evening News: “Elie got back on the grass early last week but still wasn’t right. So it’s been scanned, it’s been x-rayed, and then the next plan of action was to get an injection.
“So everything’s OK, no break showed up on the scans, it’s just a bit of a chronic thing. Unfortunately, it takes three to five days to settle in for the healing process, which isn’t ideal because it’s pushed him back another week.
“So now he’s been out for, what’s that, four weeks? So he starts to decondition as well, which is a bit of a blow. I don’t think he’ll be available for Aberdeen because of the timing.”
Joe Newell
Newell will join Youan in remaining on the sidelines for the weekend but is another one who is making good progress.
Gray said: “Joe is not available this weekend but is in as good a place as he’s been. He tested again on Monday, which is really positive.
“So I don’t expect him to be available this weekend, but definitely back with the group by the end of the week, looking towards the next week, which is positive
Marvin Ekpiteta
The centre half is still further behind his two teammates in his rehab but has passed all his tests with “flying colours.”
Gray added: “Marv’s still the furthest away, but back on the pitch, doing really well. He’s not doing full contact with the group, but he had to do a strength test at a certain point.
“So basically, through all the rehab, he has to hit certain markers along the way. And he’s hit every single one with flying colours, which is good.
“He’s on the grass, moving really well. So that’s all been well in the last couple of weeks. His rehab should see him introduced quite nicely in due course.”