Sallinger goes straight back into Hibs team

Goalkeeper Raphael Sallinger will start for Hibs in the crucial game at Falkirk on Saturday, head coach David Gray has confirmed.

The Austrian returns from a one-game suspension after being sent off in the first half of the 2-1 derby defeat by Hearts for catching the ball outside his penalty box.

Jordan Smith - last season's number one - performed strongly in the remainder of the derby and subsequent 2-1 loss to Celtic but will make way.

Asked if he had a tough decision to make over which keeper to start, Gray said: "Yeah, I do. But I've spoken to both goalkeepers and it'll be Rafa that goes back in this weekend.

"It's not an easy decision because all Smudge can do is wait for his opportunity and do everything he can, and he's certainly done that, but I think over the piece, Rafa has been very consistent this season.

"I've been very open with the two of them and Rafa will start the game."

Defenders Felix Passlack and Grant Hanley also return from suspension, with Hibs' European hopes having been hindered by four red cards in their past three matches.

"It's pretty self-explanatory, I spoke about that even going into the last one, and the results show that as well," said Gray. "Four red cards in three games, three defeats.

"To give yourself the best chance, you need all 11 men on the pitch."

Josh Mulligan has been "training well" after being sidelined since January but Gray did not say whether the key midfielder would return to face a sixth-place Falkirk side just two points behind Hibs.

In addition to trying to fend off the Bairns, Gray's side are still striving to overhaul fourth-place Motherwell, who are six points ahead with three games remaining.

"Everything we set out to do is still possible at this stage," he said. "We are quickly running out of games but there's no bigger game than the biggest game of the season this weekend.

"If we beat Falkirk this weekend it puts us five points ahead of them with two games to go, but, more importantly, three points behind Motherwell before they play their game [against Hearts] that night. We've still to play them and then anything can happen."