Neil Lennon has dismissed any notion of requesting an Edinburgh derby postponement despite the prospect of losing three players to Australia's Asian Cup preparations.

Mark Milligan, Martin Boyle and Jamie Maclaren have been told to fly out to the United Arab Emirates after Hibs' Boxing Day clash with Rangers, although Lennon has not given up all hope of having one or two of the players available for the December 29 clash with Hearts.

Holders Australia kick off their group campaign against Jordan on January 6 and Lennon could be without the trio until after the final on February 1, but did not anticipate such an early exit.

Hibs have a number of players missing through injury but Lennon will not contemplate invoking their right to postpone the televised derby.

"We don't want to call the game off, we want to play it," he said. "I think that's a positive from our point of view.

"It's a big game, it's the time of year, and it could provide a fixture backlog later on.

"We are playing well, if we get momentum after Ibrox then hopefully that will work in our favour, but I don't see any need to call the game off."

Lennon claimed he was told a few months ago that "at least one or two" of the players would be around for the game.

"I don't know if it's going to be possible but we will keep an eye on the situation," he said. "It's not ideal and it's not what we were told was going to happen. So we are very disappointed with that. But we will get on with it.

"We have two very important games before that. If the lads leave we will use what is left of the squad. To be fair we beat Celtic without the three of them, so we can manage."

Boyle scored a double on his full Australia debut last month and is delighted to be involved in the tournament, which is held every four years.

"I'm honoured to be called up," he said. "It's the equivalent of Scotland in the Euros. Australia are holders and expectations are high.

"Obviously it would be disappointing to miss the derby. These are the massive games you want to be playing in. New Year as well, it will be a great occasion. But sacrifices have got to be made.

"Club and country are speaking about it and if that's the decision then there's nothing we can do about it. It's kind of up in the air, we just had to wait for the federation to make their decision and the date is lying before the derby.

"There might be a change of heart, there might not, but as far as I'm aware we are leaving on Boxing Day."

Boyle is set to start against Livingston on Saturday after returning from a head knock in the midweek draw with Rangers.

And Lennon is looking to push their home advantage against a Livi side who have lost four away games on the trot but beat Hearts 5-0 last weekend.

Lennon said: "Our home form is good, we have lost one game in over a year at home in all competitions. So it's important we maximise the home advantage as best we can."