At the age of 38, Brian Graham shows no signs of slowing down.

Having returned to Ross County for a third spell over the summer, the big striker has nine goals already, five of them coming in the group phase of this competition.

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If proposals from the Scottish FA are accepted by SPFL clubs, then both major cup competitions will require each club to start with two under-21 Scottish qualified players from next season.

Hearts had no one that fits the bill last night, with James Wilson an unused sub, although he has been getting regular game time.

Hibs' only Scottish youngster today is replacement goalie Freddie Owens.

It's going to be quite a leap, if the plan gets the green light.

After successive relegations County find themselves in League One but hopes will be high for a swift return to the Championship.

They are unbeaten in the league and have won 10 of their 13 matches in all competitions.

This looks like a big game for Hibs boss David Gray.

A poor display in the first Edinburgh derby of the season was followed by defeat at newly-promoted St Johnstone.

Lower league opponents inflicting a third successive defeat would pile all sorts of pressure on Gray, despite back-to-back European qualifications in his first two seasons in charge.

With the top two inactive, Raith Rovers have the chance to go level on points with surprise Championship leaders Stenhousemuir.

Rovers host fifth-placed Arbroath, while Dunfermline are at home to Queen's Park and Inverness Caley Thistle travel to Ayr United.

Poor old Morton's torrid start to the season continued with a 4-1 home thrashing from Livingston last night.

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David Gray rings the Hibs changes after last Sunday's defeat at St Johnstone.

Forward duo Ante Suto and Thibault Klidje are among six switches made to under-fire Gray's XI, with captain Joe Newell and Callum Wright coming into midfield.

Defenders Kanayo Megwa and Jack Iredale also start. Jamie McGrath is nowhere to be seen in the matchday squad and Grant Hanley hasn't recovered from the knock he took in Perth.

Richard Chin being swapped for Jack Turner in midfield is the only Ross County change following their 2-2 draw at East Fife last weekend.

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John Robertson
Former Ross County manager on BBC Sportsound

Ross County will be favourites for the League One title. There's a lot of legs in the team and they have good experience too.

They will fancy their chances today.

Ross County: Foster, Smith, Wright, L Reid, Strapp, Randall, Lindsay, Turner, McCarvel, Emslie, Graham.

Substitutes: Wade, Forrester, Phillips, Hamilton, Diack, MacLeod, Docherty, Williamson, J Reid.

Hibernian: Sallinger, Megwa, Kerr, Iredale, Passlack, Mulligan, Newell, Wright, Mayor, Klidje, Suto.

Substitutes: Owens, Elding, Lowe, Boyle, Williams, Chaiwa, Cadden, Devaney, Abdulai.

Hearts could afford to make six changes and stroll to a comfortable 3-0 win at Stenhousemuir last night.

JJ Williams scored his first goal for the club, with Rogers Mato and substitute Yan Dhanda also on target at Ochilview.

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Hearts are already in the hat for the Premier Sports Cup semi-finals, so who will join them?

Ross County host Hibernian at 15:00 BST, with Kilmarnock v Aberdeen to follow at 17:45.

It's fair to say all three Premiership managers involved today are in grave need of wins.

Tomorrow, we have an Old Firm derby at Ibrox.

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