Hibs: Deal worry for injured kid

• Sean Welsh's Hibs deal runs out in December. Picture: Ian Georgeson

The realisation his deal is fast expiring will add to the young midfielder's agony after he suffered what is believed to be a serious knee injury during his first training session at the Easter Road club's camp in Holland.

It was the latest blow for the 20-year-old who shattered his right leg as a youngster and then, having led Hibs Under-19s to League and Cup glory was unable to lift either trophy having broken his foot.

Although he remained with the squad at their base in Arnhem, Welsh was being flown home today, his knee secured in a brace, to undergo a scan to determine the extent of the injury.

Disclosing it was a freak accident, Hughes said: "It wasn't even a tackle, he twisted and his knee popped.

"It would be wrong for me to try to judge how long he might be out until we know the results of the scan but I really sympathise with him. He's had a few injuries for such a young player."

While Welsh was one of seven of that all-conquering young side to be awarded first-team deals, Hughes revealed his contract runs out at Christmas, but, having been impressed by his attitude in recent weeks, he hinted an extension is likely to allow the youngster to stake his claim for first-team football.

He said: "When he came back we saw a different Sean Welsh. He had worked through the close season to get himself in good shape, he had worked every day and he was showing he would be there or thereabouts this year, getting that wee chance David Wotherspoon took last season. It's another blow for him to overcome but we'll do the right thing by him."

Meanwhile, Hughes insisted full-back Kevin McCann still has an Easter Road future despite joining SPL new boys Inverness Caledonian Thistle on loan for six months as he enters the final year of his contract.

Like Welsh, McCann has been plagued by injury, restricted to just two first team games in 30 months, the 22-year-old having struggled to make a comeback following a major knee operation to cure the tendinosis which two painful courses of injections had failed to resolve.

McCann's problems left Hibs without a recognised right-back last season, Wotherspoon, skipper Chris Hogg, Sol Bamba and Darren McCormack all playing out of position to cover but the arrival of Michael Hart will, Hughes acknowledged, make it difficult for the former Scotland Under-21 player to make an immediate return to action in a green and white shirt.

He said: "I spoke to Kevin and told him we'd be trying to bring Michael in. Kevin needs to get playing regular football, to get himself going and to get his confidence. He's been hampered by one or two niggles since his operation and he never seemed to be quite able to 'get there'.

"Terry Butcher (Caley's manager] was prepared to take him for a year but we said make it to Christmas. That gives Kevin the chance to concentrate on his football. We'll sit down and look at it after the six months but I still see him having a future at Easter Road."

Striker Derek Riordan was due to rejoin his team-mates today following the birth of his daughter but Hughes will wait until speaking to him before deciding if he'll play any part in Hibs' second match in Holland, against Eredivisie outfit NEC Nijmegen tonight.