Hibs captain James McPake has pulled out of Northern Ireland’s World Cup qualifying matches with an Achilles injury.
The defender hurt the tendon in Saturday’s 3-0 victory over Dundee but the Easter Road club expects him to be fit for the side’s trip to Ross County on October 20.
On-loan Hibs defender Ryan McGivern has remained with Michael O’Neill’s squad however, and the Manchester City youngster is in line to earn his 19th cap.
McGivern made his first start of the campaign against the struggling Dees, and he said he is ready to stake a claim for a regular berth in Pat Fenlon’s team.
The 22-year-old told the official Hibernian website: “It was a great feeling to have made my home debut. I thought the atmosphere at Easter Road was fantastic.
“The clean sheet was really pleasing for the back four and the goalkeeper – just as important as the three goals we scored.”
