Hughes hopes break doesn't affect Hibs' focus

Published on Friday 16 October 2009 10:03

JOHN HUGHES today admitted he's hoping the lull in SPL action won't shatter the head of steam he believes Hibs had built up before being forced into cold storage by the demands of international football.

A draw against Dundee United following victories over St Johnstone and Motherwell propelled the Easter Road outfit into third place in the SPL table only for Hughes to be left frustrated as a host of his stars departed to play for their countries.

The Hibs boss will only have today to work with his full squad ahead of tomorrow's visit from Kilmarnock, Liam Miller the last to return to the training centre at East Mains following the Republic of Ireland's final World Cup qualifying match against Montenegro in Dublin on Wednesday night.

Hughes has his fingers crossed that the midfield ace will return fit and healthy as have Derek Riordan, Merouane Zemmama, Abdessalam Benjelloun, Sol Bamba, Paul Hanlon and David Wotherspoon from international duty.

But while delighted to see so many gain such recognition, insisting it reflects the quality of the players at his disposal, Hughes admitted the downside was being unable to work with them over the past fortnight.

He said: "I felt I was starting to see a lot of the hard work we have been doing coming to fruition.

"We played well, particularly in the first half against United following a good performance at Fir Park and what you want to do is get back out there on the training ground on the Monday morning to go over what you feel they'd done right and to work on what you feel they didn't do so well.

"You are looking for momentum and perhaps the international break may hinder us a bit but I am hoping they can pick things up where they left off. We are looking for them to keep going, winning games, not being beaten breeds confidence.

"So it is frustrating to find you can't work with your players because so many are away.

"But having said that I'd be delighted if even more were to be picked for international matches because it shows the calibre of player we have at this club."

Hughes cast a close eye over Moroccan pair Zemmama and Benji in particular during yesterday's training session given the huge disappointment they'd suffered in seeing their World Cup hopes disappear but he was delighted not only with their response but that of the others who had been away.

He said: "Training was vibrant, everyone trained awfully well. Obviously Zouma and Benji were disappointed and while there was still a bit of fatigue there, they were looking good."

Hughes agreed there was a temptation to simply name the same starting line-up, one which remained unaltered throughout the 90 minutes against United, but added: "Kilmarnock are a different opposition so we may change our formation a bit.

"If someone finds himself on the bench as a result then so-be-it. We'll be looking to choose a team which we believe can take the three points."

Hibs took just one point from three matches against Killie last season and that, according to Hughes, should be sufficient warning as to the task facing his side tomorrow.

He said: "We know how hard it is going to be. We need to be at our best, we can't afford to carry anyone who is off form."

HIBS will be hoping to go back top of the SPL Under-19 League when they face Dundee United at East Mains tomorrow (kick-off 11.30am).