HIBS boss Tony Mowbray today admitted it's win or bust for his side in this weekend's Edinburgh derby with Hearts.

The Easter Road side can still qualify for the UEFA Cup this season although their elimination from the Tennent's Scottish Cup means that matters have been taken out of their own hands.

The Leith outfit must pip Kilmarnock to fourth spot in the SPL and also hope that Hearts are overhauled by Rangers but go on to win the Scottish Cup on May 13.

But, with just four league games remaining before the end of the season, time is running out and Mowbray knows that this weekend's clash is a chance not only to try and stretch their lead over Kilmarnock but also to dent Hearts' chances of finishing in second spot.

"We need Hearts to get overhauled in second position as the benefit for us would be that fourth spot would carry a European place," said Mowbray.

"We can't influence games we are not involved in and this is one game where we can affect their result and also give ourselves a lift.

"We've got four games to go and we have to pick up as many points as we can and then hope that the results of games we're not involved in go our way.

"Hearts may perceive that they need to win the game to stay ahead of Rangers but we need to win because it's a derby game basically.

"No matter where you are in the league or what you are challenging for there is always pride at stake and that never changes.

"We had a good result against them earlier in the season so we'll be striving to get another good result. It will be a hotly-contested game and one that we want to win for our supporters."

Meanwhile, Mowbray revealed that he will make a last-minute decision on the fitness of midfielder Kevin Thomson after he limped out of their 1-1 draw with Celtic on Sunday.

The 21-year-old was replaced by Dean Shiels after 70 minutes at Parkhead and has yet to train this week.

With Scott Brown, Michael Stewart and Guillaume Beuzelin already sidelined with injuries, the loss of Thomson would be a big blow to Hibs' hopes of beating Hearts this weekend.

But Mowbray is willing to wait until later in the week before deciding whether the Scotland under-21 internationalist will feature against the Jambos.

"Kevin has a tight calf with a bit of bruising so it doesn't look as though it's a strain or a tear," said Mowbray.

"It looks more like a kick but it's still causing him a wee bit of pain and it's one that we'll watch.

"It will probably be later in the week before we make a decision on him although we are hopeful that he will be fit."

Taken from the Scotsman