Hughes was a shock omission from an extended 17-man line-up named on Monday, with fellow New South Welshman Usman Khawaja and South Australia's Callum Ferguson both chosen ahead of the Blues star.
The 21-year-old has not been a permanent member of the Australian XI since he was replaced by Shane Watson ahead of the third Ashes Test last July.
"Phillip's playing for Australia A (against England in Hobart) this weekend and obviously I've spoken to Phil this morning and he's disappointed, but he needs to score runs," Hilditch said of Hughes on Monday morning.
"The other side of the coin we're really happy with our opening partnership (of Shane Watson and Simon Katich) and Phil's primarily trying to crack into that spot."
"We would consider him in a middle order position but at the moment we think the two young players (Usman Khawaja and Callum Ferguson) from Australia A that we've picked are in a bit better form and ready to go."
Selectors will decide which 12-13 players they take to Brisbane at the conclusion of this week's Australia A and Sheffield Shield fixtures.
Australian captain Ricky Ponting backed Hughes to bounce back from his latest disappointment.
"You've just got to tell him to keep working hard and keep doing his best and make sure he knuckles down this week and makes some runs, I mean that's about all you can say," Ponting, who is yet to speak to Hughes about his non selection, said.
Hughes boasts an impressive record of 615 runs at 51.25 from seven Test appearances, including two centuries against South Africa.
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