Hibs pair facing race for fitness

GRAEME CROSER

HIBS boss Bobby Williamson today admitted that both Stephen Glass and Roland Edge are struggling to be fit for Sunday’s clash with Hearts at Tynecastle.

The duo missed the Hibees’ last match against Dundee United but the manager had hoped the free week provided by the Euro 2004 play-offs would provided them with ample recovery time.

However, Edge’s knee injury and Glass’ calf strain have failed to improve sufficiently for them to return to full training.

Williamson said: "Both Roland and Stephen are still doing some work with the physio so they’re a bit behind the other guys. We will see how they come through as the weekend approaches but they haven’t done any proper work with us yet.

"If they do come back into full training I’ll then have to make a decision based upon when they last played and the individual injuries but I wouldn’t give one or other a better hope of making it."

With Yannick Zambernardi also out for the medium term, Williamson has a shortage of naturally left-sided players.

Skipper Ian Murray seems certain to continue on the left of midfield while behind him Gary Smith is likely to retain his place as an emergency full-back.

Otherwise, Kevin Thomson may well be handed his derby debut in midfield. The teenager has been impressive over the past couple of games and Williamson insists he will have no qualms over plunging him into his first Capital clash.

He said: "Whether it’s a player’s first derby or not will have no influence on my selection at all. I don’t pay much attention to these things, I just pick the team I feel is going to do best on the day.

"Kevin has come in and done well and, like everybody else, he’ll want to be involved this weekend because it’s such a big game."

Taken from the Scotsman