Calderwood has overseen six defeats in nine games as manager

Colin Calderwood admits Hibernian are firmly in a relegation battle following their 2-1 home defeat by Aberdeen.

Aberdeen moved off the foot of the table with their first win since beating Hibs in October.

"I don't know if it has been mentioned in the dressing-room, but we're far enough into the season and we're completely in that fight.

"We will need a sustained run of good form and victories to take us away from it," said Hibs manager Calderwood.

The Edinburgh side slipped to 10th place in the Scotttish Premier League, five points above bottom side Hamilton, but they have played two games more than Accies.

Calderwood has tasted defeat in six of his nine games in charge and his team will have to record their first win of the season against bottom-six opponents in order to beat Dundee United at Easter Road on Wednesday.

"We had the best chance, play the bottom team and beat them, that would have given us a mighty gap and it hasn't happened," he said.

Zemmama has trained again today, Darryl Duffy has played 65 minutes in a bounce game, so there is good progression for them Hibernian manager Colin Calderwood

"Looking at one of the stats, I don't think we have won against a team in the bottom half of the table, which is quite interesting and something we have got to rectify.

"It's a big game for us on Wednesday. We've got to have a reaction to a home defeat against Aberdeen. It's important we have a verve and an end product."

The former Nottingham Forest manager confirmed there was scope to add to his squad next month.

However, former Hibs winger Ivan Sproule will not be returning to Easter Road as he already joined Yeovil on loan from Bristol City last month and can't play for another club this season.

"He can't play - he has played for two clubs," Calderwood said. "It's a position where people are in contract, you are always limited to what happens in other squads.

"There is a bit of work being done and we will continue to do that. There is always space, but it will be our decision if anyone leaves."

Calderwood's options will be boosted in the coming weeks by the return of Darryl Duffy and Merouane Zemmama.

On-loan Bristol Rovers striker Duffy broke his foot in training before being able to make his Hibs debut, while Zemmama has not played yet this season after suffering a cruciate ligament injury in April.

"Zemmama has trained again today, Darryl Duffy has played 65 minutes in a bounce game, so there is good progression for them," Calderwood said.

"We have got to think about having them in and around the bench."

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