Double boost in Euro fight

Published on Saturday 26 April 2008 10:42

HIBS boss Mixu Paatelainen today revealed he expects crocked stars Chris Hogg and Brian Kerr to return to give the Easter Road outfit's bid for Europe a major boost.

Midfield ace Kerr hasn't played since the 1-0 win over his former club, and UEFA Cup rivals, Motherwell in the middle of March, while central defender Hogg has been sidelined with a knee injury sustained in the victory against St Mirren at the beginning of the month.

Their absences have led to speculation that, like broken foot victim Merouane Zemmama, their seasons had been brought to a premature end.

But Paatelainen insisted that was not the case, although both Kerr and Hogg were again missing for today's clash with Aberdeen at Pittodrie.

The Easter Road manager said: "I can see them coming back before the season ends.

"Chris is jogging every day. The injury is improving and he is feeling less pain."

However, Hogg, who suffered medial ligament damage in his left knee, has yet to start kicking a ball again and Paatelainen is determined to take no chances with the fans' player of the year.

He said: "It's not a serious injury but it's a nasty one. It's the sort of thing that can linger and niggle for a while."

Kerr was sent for a scan on the knee problem which has kept him out of Hibs' last five games, the result showing there was no major damage.

Paatelainen said: "Brian is in the same position as Chris. He's running again but unfortunately he isn't yet taking part in training sessions with the rest of the squad."

Meanwhile, Paatelainen has refused to read too much into the fact his side have already gained two points more this season than they did last year, 51 as opposed to 49.

He said: "It's difficult to compare points tallies from season to season although we obviously want to see a trend of the number of points we gain each year rising and the team climbing up the league table to finisher higher than the previous season."