Hughes may rest Hibs stars on national duty

Published on Monday 12 October 2009 10:01

HIBS boss John Hughes admitted today that the international break may force him to shuffle his pack for this weekend's game against Kilmarnock.

With a number of World Cup and friendly matches taking place, Hughes took the opportunity to give his first-team squad a few days rest at the weekend.

However, a number of his stars were called up to their national squads and were faced with gruelling long-haul trips to represent their countries.

Hibs striker Derek Riordan flew out to Japan for Scotland's game in Yokohama at the weekend, although he was given only 14 minutes on the pitch by George Burley.

Sol Bamba was in Malawi for the Ivory Coast's 1-1 draw, while Merouane Zemmama and Abdessalam Benjelloun were both called up to the Morocco squad for the away game to Gabon, which they lost 3-1.

Hughes will have to wait until later in the week to see what toll, if any, the travelling has had on his players ahead of Kilmarnock's visit to Easter Road and said: "The guys who have been away on international duty have not really had a rest and we'll have to think very carefully about that.

"It will certainly come into the equation when I'm picking my team for next Saturday.

"A lot of the boys who were away had quite a distance to travel, Benji and Zouma, as well as big Sol and even Derek being involved with Scotland this time around involved a flight to Japan and back.

"It depends on when they get back to us, whether they have managed to steer clear of injuries and wee knocks and how they are physically in general because travelling does take a lot out of you.

"We will need to gauge each of them individually when we get them back and hopefully they will all come back relatively unscathed.

"But we're looking at the positive side of things right now. I would love all of my players to be involved with their country.

"It gives the club a great profile and I think that it also says a lot about the standards that you are setting as well."

Hughes believes his team could have even more international stars if striker Anthony Stokes lives up to his reputation. While Hughes says there is still room for improvement in the Irishman's fitness levels, he is confident the player is capable of winning a recall to the national side if he knuckles down and start scoring more regularly.

Stokes has made three appearances for the Republic of Ireland, his debut coming as a substitute in the 2-1 away win over San Marino in February 2007 and Hughes added: "I think if Stokesy plays regular football and manages to score a few goals then he could be in and about there.

"He is already well known to the Irish because he's been involved before and with Liam Miller now at Hibs, hopefully that will help put him in the right direction.

"He's also worked under Liam Brady before and I think that will work in his favour because they'll be well aware of him and what he can do. He just has to keep his head down and get himself fitter. I still think he's got a wee bit to go with that side of things."