Fit Tom Soares can fill gap left by banned pair

Published on 16/03/2012 01:34

HIBERNIAN manager Pat Fenlon is hopeful fit-again winger Tom Soares can help fill the void left by the suspensions of Ivan Sproule and Isaiah Osbourne in this weekend’s Edinburgh derby.

The on-loan Stoke City player has shaken off a dead leg and could have been pitched into last weekend’s Scottish Cup win at Ayr. But, with one eye on the absences of Sproule and Osbourne for Sunday’s trip to Tynecastle, Fenlon didn’t risk the former England under-21 cap for fear of losing him to injury again.

Fenlon said: “We could have pushed him to play [against Ayr]. In fairness to him, he trained for a couple of days [last week] and did okay. He just probably wasn’t 100 per cent. Obviously with Ivan and Ozzy out this weekend it was important we didn’t lose Tom as well. It worked out in the end. Sometimes these things can backfire but Ivan was fantastic in the game and Tom will be available this weekend.

“He’s been unlucky because he’s been in and out and in and out through injury. So, we would love to keep him fit and keep him in the team because he’s a quality player.”