Deegan gets all-clear to train

HIBERNIAN midfielder Gary Deegan returned to training for the first time yesterday after a seven-week absence with a broken jaw. Manager Pat Fenlon described the news as “a big plus”, but warned it could be some time yet before the 25-year-old playmaker is back in the team.

“He was in the hospital in the morning and he got the all-clear,” Fenlon said. “He came back in the afternoon and he’s been in the gym working hard.

“It will probably be a week or so before he’s in contact training, but it’s a big plus that he’s been given the all-clear. We just need to get him up to match fitness, and he has lost a bit of weight so he needs to put that back on as well before we can progress him.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

There was less positive news, however, about defender Tim Clancy, who has been out of action with a groin condition. “We’ve sent Tim away to a specialist because he hasn’t made the progress we expected, so we’re checking it out and trying to get to the bottom of it,” Fenlon added.

Captain James McPake, on the other hand, could make his return against Aberdeen tomorrow after missing Hibs’ last two matches because of a back condition. “He’s done a little bit of training so we’ll give him a chance right up until tomorrow,” Fenlon said of the centre-half. “He’s still a bit sore, to be honest.

“Again, if he’s not right, we won’t risk him. We’ll see how he is. It’s a muscle spasm in his back which has eased out a hell of a lot in the last two weeks, but we have to make sure he’s right to play.

“It’s not related to any previous injury, it’s just a tension in the lower back. 
We want him to be close to 100 per cent.”

Related topics: