Hibs star Zemmama to get scan as Hughes fears a month's absence

Published on Monday 18 January 2010 09:19

HIBS star Merouane Zemmama was being sent for a scan on his hamstring injury today with boss John Hughes hoping it will allay fears the little playmaker could be out of action for up to a month.

The Moroccan ace was forced to quit Saturday's SPL clash with Dundee United after just 31 minutes when the problem, which bothered him earlier in the season, flared up again.

While Hughes believes it isn't as bad as a tear or a pull, he has his fingers crossed he will be proved right when Zemmama sees the specialist. The Easter Road boss said: "It's that hamstring again. We think it is a neurological problem, a wee nerve thing coming from his back, the same as it was the last time.

"We don't think it is a tear or a pull and we have our fingers crossed it isn't, as you'd then be talking about a month out at a time when we have a lot of important games to be played."

With long-term injury victim Kevin McCann on the bench at Tannadice, Hughes finally has a full squad at his disposal and hopes he'll continue to do so after Zemmama's hospital visit, insisting the disappointment of going down to United won't be allowed to derail his side's league challenge.

Leith boy Danny Swanson's goal was enough to send United leapfrogging Hibs into third place in the table although the Easter Road outfit can reverse that situation as they have a game in hand. Hughes said: "We know the prize we are playing for, we want to finish as high up the league as we can. But it's all hands on deck, we need everyone committed and we need to keep them fresh, fit and healthy.

"I believe that if we can avoid injuries we will be all right."

Although he was unhappy with his team's first-half performance on Tayside, Hughes couldn't fault his players' efforts after the break. "We made a radical change, going with five at the back, something we have never coached and it gave us a foothold in the game.

"The boys showed spirit and credit to them. Liam Miller, David Wotherspoon and Colin Nish all had wee chances but we just weren't creative enough."