Martin Boyle STARTS first Hibs match since OCTOBER in crunch second leg Conf League clash vs Inter Club D’Escaldes

IT’S now or never for Hibs as they attempt to overcome an embarrassing first leg Europa Conference League deficit to Andorran minnows Inter Club D’Escaldes.

And SunSport understands that means that Martin Boyle is in line to START his first competitive match since October.

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Martin Boyle is a talisman for HibsCredit: Willie Vass

The winger picked up a serious knee injury on the eve of the World Cup, forcing him to miss out on the Qatar tournament with Australia.

But he’s finally back in the running – and there’s a lot on the line for the Easter Road men and manager Lee Johnson in tonight’s clash in Leith.

And Boyle, who made his long-awaited comeback in a friendly against Blackpool at the weekend, is set to be pitched directly into battle.

Johnson is set to deploy him as part of a three-man front line including Christian Doidge and Elie Youan for the clash as the Easter Road men bid to book their place in the next round.

It means Elias Melkersen and Adam Le Fondre paying the penalty for that disappointing first leg clash.

Dylan Levitt and James Jeggo too have to settle for a place on the bench.

The match kicks off at 7.15pm and a bumper Easter Road crowd will head along for the occasion.

A late Joe Newell strike was the only crumb of consolation from that first leg clash in Andorra.

Boyle spoke of the relief he felt after the weekend clash with Blackpool.

He said: “It is a relief for myself as it has been a long ten months.

“It was a long rehabilitation process, I had to stay patient when I began to come back to fitness.

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How Hibs will line up

“I gave up my summer to work hard and get myself into this position so I am delighted to get some minutes under my belt today, and hopefully I kick on from this.

“Everything feels good, the physios have done great, the strength and condition coach has been brilliant with me and I feel strong and confident about everything right now.

“I am chomping at the bit to play, I obviously need to get more minutes under my belt but I need to be patient.”

Hibs XI: Marshall; Delferriere, Hanlon, Fish, Stevenson; Campbell, Newell, Doyle-Hayes; Youan, Doidge, Boyle.

Subs: Wollacott, Miller, Levitt, Jeggo, Henderson, Le Fondre, Melkersen, Obita, Harbottle, MacKay, Rocky, McAllister

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