Alan Stubbs pleased to be contending on three fronts but league is the priority

The Leith side travel to Livingston on Saturday as they continue their chase of Rangers at the top of the Ladbrokes Championship, before hosting Edinburgh rivals Hearts in their William Hill Scottish Cup replay next Tuesday, ahead of the League Cup final against Ross County next month.

Hibs have lost once in 25 matches and Stubbs believes the heavy and varied schedule is inspiring rather than draining.

He told HibsTV: "The fact that we are in three competitions is helping. It's not a hindrance, it is far from it.

"It is certainly helping us because the boys have got the bit right between their teeth now and they can't welcome the games enough right now.

"The players are managing themselves at the moment. We are making sure they are going through all the after-match recovery properly. reinforcing hydration, cool-downs, ice-baths and getting the right food into them.

"We are doing very little between the games because of the fixture programme which is going to get intense.

"From this weekend we go Saturday, Tuesday, Sunday, Wednesday, Saturday, so it is going to be busy - but I wouldn't want it any other way."

Stubbs, however, maintains that the league is the main priority as he prepares for the 5.15pm kick-off against second-bottom Livingston.

He said: "Our focus has turned quickly to our main priority, which is the league format, that is the most important game. Our priority all season has been the league.

"We go to Livingston on Saturday for another game on the TV, and it's one where we will be looking to pick up three points.

"We've had a couple of decent results there over the years, and on Saturday we will be looking to do the same."

Stubbs revealed midfielder Fraser Fyvie has a grade one medial ligament injury and could potentially be out for up to four weeks while skipper David Gray and midfielder Dylan McGeouch have recovered from knocks