David Stephens link helped sway George Francomb to come to Hibs

HIBERNIAN hope they have a found a solution to their problems at right-back by signing George Francomb on loan from Norwich City for the rest of the season.

The 20-year-old, who can also play in midfield, has made five appearances for the Premiership said, but said yesterday he had decided that playing in the SPL was more attractive than sitting in the stand watching his team-mates in England’s top flight.

“It wasn’t tempting to stay down at Norwich,” Francomb said. “I’ve enjoyed it this season – I’ve been to Old Trafford, to Anfield, great stadiums around the English Premier League with the rest of the squad. But the bottom line is that I need to be playing games. so it was a no- brainer to come here really.”

Francomb, who is in contention for a place in Hibs’ crunch league game at Dunfermline tomorrow, is friends with Easter Road centre-half David Stephens, who quickly persuaded him to agree to make the loan move to Edinburgh. “I knew all about the club before I came here, because I was in the Norwich youth team with David. He was telling me about the fanbase and how impressed he was with Hibs.

“[Norwich manager] Paul Lambert also told me that it would be great for me to come and play in the SPL. He said ‘Definitely get yourself up there’.

“There were a few clubs in for me, but when the gaffer rang me and told me Hibs were in, I wanted to come here straight away. It’s a massive club with a great stadium and great facilities. I know the club’s on a bit of a downer at the moment and in the bottom two, but I think we can get a few points on the board and get up the table.”

Francomb trained at East Mains yesterday and was impressed by the good morale within the squad despite the fact that Hibs have picked up just one point from five league games since Pat Fenlon became manager. “Today was my first training session and it was not too dissimilar from Norwich, with good tempo and a real buzz about the place,” he said.

“It didn’t strike me as a team near the bottom of the table. Now we have a massive game against Dunfermline coming up and if we can get a win then hopefully more can follow.”

Francomb’s arrival at Hibernian yesterday coincided with the departure of midfielder Matt Thornhill, whose contract was cancelled by mutual consent.

Thornhill was signed a year ago by former manager Colin Calderwood, who had previously had the player under his wing when both were at Nottingham Forest. He played 15 first-team games.

A statement from the club said: “Everybody connected with Hibernian would like to wish Matt well in the next chapter in his career and thank him for his contribution.”