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Kilmarnock midfielder James Fowler fears the return of Scott Brown and Kevin Thomson when Hibernian visit Rugby Park in the Bank of Scotland Premier League tomorrow night.

Brown is likely to return after a hamstring injury while Thomson is available after missing the Tennent's Scottish Cup draw at Aberdeen through suspension.

The return of the pair would be a huge boost to a Hibs side reeling from news of the Achilles injury to striker Chris Killen that has ruled the New Zealander out for the rest of the season.

Fowler, whose side will move level on points with Hibs if they win the encounter, said: ``Hibs are going well even though Chris Killen will be a big loss to them after his injury.

``Scott Brown and Kevin Thomson will be back for them so it will be tough.

``Those two are as good as you'll come up against in the SPL, especially Thomson.

``He builds everything for them while Brown is more dynamic and likes to get forward. I'll probably need to match Scott's runs from midfield.''

Meanwhile, Hibernian right-back Steven Whittaker insists he is happy to play in a more advanced role under manager John Collins if it yields results.

The 22-year-old defender showed his versatile side at Aberdeen on Wednesday night when he was pushed into the right side of midfield.

With Kevin Thomson, Scott Brown, Steven Fletcher and Merouane Zemmama all missing the third round cup tie at Pittodrie, Collins was forced to shuffle his pack and push Whittaker further forward.

Teenager Kevin McCann, 19, slotted in at right-back for his debut while Whittaker tried to make inroads down the flank.

But the Scotland squad member insists it is a role not alien to him as he first started out playing as midfielder.

Now he hopes to continue his consistent season by performing wherever Collins plays him.

He said: ``Kevin did very well at Aberdeen. He came in and put a really good performance in so credit to him.

``He's been done well in training and with the lack of midfielders, I got pushed forward which I was happy to do.

``A lot of people say that I can slot into midfield which I know I'm quite capable of.

``Anytime the gaffer has asked me to push in, I'm quite happy to do that. He has always got that opportunity to do it.

``When I was a youngster, I did play midfield and it was (ex-manager) Bobby Williamson who tried me out at right-back. I did well and from then on really I made that position my own.

``I've been quite steady this season. Just to be in the team every week is a bonus, getting match practice and experience at this level is great.''

Ahead of a busy spell of three games in six days this week, Whittaker knows the club must adapt quickly to the loss of injured top scorer Chris Killen.

The New Zealander is out for up to nine months after surgery on a torn Achilles tendon but Whittaker has called on the club's other forwards to take their chance.

He added: ``I think we've got players that can come in and hopefully fill Chris's boots.

``Young Steven Fletcher has been scoring goals when he has been playing and Benji has done well when he's come on. Hopefully he can get a start and produce something for us.

``We're going to miss Chris' (Killen) physical presence, but hopefully someone can do the same job.''

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