Nicky Cadden to miss season opener in Kosovo

Hibernian wide man Nicky Cadden will miss Thursday's season opener against Malisheva in Kosovo in the Conference League second qualifying round, but midfielder Jamie McGrath could recover in time. Head coach David Gray said the pair are his only injury concerns following Saturday's 2-1 win over Brondby at Easter Road in their final pre-season friendly. Midfielder Callum Wright, the summer arrival from Plymouth Argyle, came off before half-time, but Gray reckons "it's just more precautionary than anything else". "He was just feeling his thigh a little bit and we're hoping it's just more fatigue and tightness," he said. "He was one that missed a bit of pre-season at the start with a toe injury." As for forward Boyle, he "just got some late contact before he came off". Gray revealed that Cadden and McGrath, who missed the match against the Danes, both have calf issues. "Nicky will be a wee bit longer, so unfortunately for him, he might be a few weeks, whereas Jamie we're hoping to be back in days rather than weeks, which is more positive on that front," he said. Gray was particularly pleased with Nathan Lowe, the on-loan Stoke City forward who scored both Hibs goals against Brondby in "another good exercise for the players against a real good opponent". "He started really well, but it's his all-round play, what he brought to the team was excellent," he added.