Pat Fenlon, the Hibernian manager, has resisted the temptation to field the returning defenders James McPake and Tim Clancy in today's East of Scotland League fixture.

Kevin Thomson, suspended at first-team level, used the Easter Road club's presence in the non-league ranks to keep his fitness up last weekend when he turned out in the 9-0 victory over Hawick Royal Albert - and was subsequently a surprise recall by the Scotland manager Gordon Strachan. However, Fenlon has decided against playing McPake or Clancy in the EoS First Division meeting with Berwick Rangers.

Both featured in a closed-door win over Rangers this week and could get another run-out in the under-20s match against Motherwell at Almondvale on Monday.