Iain Collin
HIBERNIAN were yesterday left counting the cost of Sunday's Edinburgh derby defeat to Hearts after it was revealed that striker Steven Fletcher has received a two-match ban and seven other players could miss Saturday's clash with St Mirren.
Fletcher's straight red card in the 2-0 Scottish Cup loss means he automatically misses the next match in any competition, which comes against St Mirren, and the 12 disciplinary points he has received also results in a further one-match ban, which will come against Motherwell on 31 January. He will, however, be available for the clash with Celtic the previous weekend.

Hibs confirmed last night that they will not appeal Fletcher's red card, and the loss of the striker compounds the already high price being paid for a bruising derby played with only ten men for more than an hour.

Skipper Rob Jones returned from a hamstring strain to face Hearts but is again is struggling with a calf injury, while keeper Yves Makalambay is definitely out with the hamstring strain which led to him being substituted at half-time on Sunday.

Ian Murray is also doubtful with a groin problem and David Van Zanten is suspended against his former club to leave manager Mixu Paatelainen facing being without four of his first-choice back five.

With Sol Bamba sitting out training because of a back injury, Dean Shiels missing the derby with a recurrence of his ankle injury and Steven Thicot also struggling after being sidelined against Hearts with a hip problem, Paatelainen does not have his troubles to seek.

He said: "There were loads of knocks picked up on Sunday and I would say quite a lot of players are struggling for the weekend.

"We are the walking wounded right now, the physio's room is like a graveyard of players.

"It's too early to say whether some players will definitely make it or others will definitely be out. But if they don't, the other ones who have been waiting patiently on the sidelines will get their chance, and hopefully they can take it."

With Makalambay expected to be out for a few weeks with his hamstring injury, former Dundee United keeper Grzegorz Szamotulski will be handed an extended run in the team.

Taken from the Scotsman