Hibs manager Jack Ross says crocked trio have found a silver lining

Hibs manager Jack Ross says injured stars are fighting back to full fitness.

For many Hibs players, the frustration will have been building over the past couple of months as they try to maintain fitness, all the while keeping fingers crossed that they would see some football action sooner rather than later.

For others it has been a godsend as they have been making the most of the pause in the season to gain ground on those around them.

With everyone constrained by the same rules on exercising outside the home, rehabbing players have been back on equal footing with the peers, gradually building up the strength and stamina needed to return to the fold when the restrictions are lifted.

“The injured players are probably the ones who have benefited most from this because they will have missed less games than they would have done,” said Hibs boss Jack Ross. “They will have made up some ground on those around them.”

Ross had three key players out with long-term injuries when the action was curtailed. Stevie Mallan and Ryan Porteous had hoped to return before the season was due to wrap up, Jason Naismith always had his sights set on being ready for the new term.

“Stevie was back training with me just before the stoppage, Ryan was scheduled to come back around about the split so these guys should be back at the same time as everyone else and be available for full training when we return,” said the delighted Hibs gaffer.

“Jason is different because he was a loan player but this has certainly allowed those players who were out with long-term injuries time to recover and they will be among the small minority of people who have been pleased about the shutdown.”

The Peterborough United full-back, who has spent this season on loan at Hibs and has admitted he would like to remain at the Premiership club, sustained knee ligament damage in January’s Scottish Cup tie with Dundee United.

Describing his impact in the first half of the season as positive, Ross has made it clear he would like to test the water with regards either extending Naismith loan or agreeing a satisfactory deal to keep him at Easter Road on a more permanent basis. The former Inverness Caledonian Thistle player has made good progress in his fightback to full fitness and has announced a return to running, meaning he should be ready to participate fully in pre-season training, whenever teams are given the go-ahead to resume action.

The likelihood is that the Premiership will be called in the next few days but Naismith, provided he is permitted to stay, Mallan and Porteous still have other goals. The crocked trio had feared they would miss out on their shot at cup glory, with the Hibs v Hearts Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden scheduled too early in their comeback. Porteous has similar concerns about the Scotland Euro play-offs but the postponement of both means they young defender and midfielder Mallan are also ready to get back in the mix.

Mallan and Porteous also required knee surgery in January, after the Boxing Day derby victory over Hearts and the Scottish Cup game against Dundee United respectively.