Hibs manager Alan Stubbs is hoping new signing Anthony Stokes can set about reigniting his Euro 2016 hopes when he returns to the Easter Road line-up against St Mirren today. The on-loan Celtic player - who will be joined in the Leith side's squad by Kevin Thomson after the former Dundee midfielder completed his deal on Friday - has not played for Ireland since November 2014 but still harbours hopes of clinching a place in Martin O'Neill's squad for France next summer.
Stubbs said: "The opportunity is there for him but it's down to Anthony and what he makes of it. The fact we're even talking about him going to Euro 2016 just tells you about his quality and we're just delighted to have brought him in. I'm pleased we've now got him and hopefully Kevin on board. You can never envision what is going to happen with injuries but we have given ourselves the best chance that if that does happen, then we've got a squad which means it's irrelevant that one or two drop out because we've got players who can come straight in without affecting the quality we have."
St Mirren will also have a new face in the squad as new signing Rocco Quinn could make his debut following the midfielder's arrival from Ross County. Alan Gow could also feature after a lengthy period out with an ankle injury, but Jason Naismith (knee) and Jim Goodwin (ankle) remain absent. Manager Alex Rae said: "We are under no illusions where we are as a team and where Hibs are as a team. This looks like it will be a very difficult game but everyone knows I like a challenge. They have added to their squad which will make things more difficult but we will go there, work hard and see where that takes us."