Hibs boss John Hughes concerned over Sol Bamba's hectic Ivory Coast schedule

Published on Saturday 24 October 2009 11:16

HIBS boss John Hughes today revealed his concerns over Easter Road ace Sol Bamba after learning the Ivory Coast have arranged a friendly against Germany next month.

The game, in Gelsenkirchen, will take place just four days after Bamba makes the gruelling 7000-mile round trip to Abidjan to face Guinea in The Elephants' final World Cup qualifying match.

Bamba and his international team-mates have already qualified for both the World Cup finals in South Africa next summer and the African Cup of Nations which takes place in January, a tournament which will see Hughes miss the big defender for up to five weeks.

The former Dunfermline player has already clocked up thousands of miles this season as he has sought to establish himself in a squad which boasts the likes of Chelsea's Didier Drogba and Salamon Kalou, Emmanuelle Eboue of Arsenal and the Toure brothers, Yaya and Kolo.

However, Hughes had believed the 14 November match in Abidjan would be Bamba's last international call-up until the New Year only to discover the Ivory Coast have been invited to face Germany the following midweek.

Germany had been due to play Egypt but they pulled out as they face Algeria in a crucial World Cup qualifying match, leaving the Ivory Coast free to plug the gap. Now Bamba is likely to be confronted with the tiring schedule of two matches in four days, not to mention travelling from Edinburgh to Abidjan, on to Germany and then back to the Capital leaving him with the barest possible time to prepare for Hibs' SPL clash with St Mirren in Paisley on 21 November.

Bamba is likely not to be the only Hibs star in action on 14 November with Moroccan pair Merouane Zemmama and Abdessalam Benjelloun hoping to play as their country have one final chance to qualify for the African Cup against Cameroon while Liam Miller will have his fingers crossed he'll be involved in the Republic of Ireland's World Cup play-off with France. Today, though, Hughes admitted it was the Ivory Coast's additional fixture which was causing him some concern although he insisted he'd never try to stop Bamba from representing his country.

Questioning whether the Ivory Coast's top stars will be asked to play in the German friendly, Hughes said: "Sol has been immense for us this season, he's filled that void left by big Rob Jones.

"If, as Hibs manager, I was to be selfish I would wish that wouldn't be the case. But Sol is desperate to play for his country and if he needs to go and play in that game to help cement his place in their World Cup squad then he will go with our blessing.

"But it is quite a trip from here to West Africa, on to Germany and then back with the prospect of playing two matches.

"Travelling does take its toll. You tend to forget that while the rest will be getting a wee break he won't be.

"My job as manager is to recognise all that is involved and be careful.

"After 90 minutes it's a two-day recovery period if you get the right fluids and food into you within one-and-a-half hours. If you don't it can take three or four days.

"So far I think we have handled things well. We have a great understanding with Sol. We gave him a couple of days off to rest up after his last trip, to relax and recharge the batteries."