Fenlon calls on suspended Griffiths to show more maturity

Fenlon has been denied the services of the on-loan Wolves attacker for Saturday’s match at Aberdeen after the player was handed a one-match ban for making an obscene gesture towards Rangers fans at Easter Road last weekend.

The manager, two weeks into the Hibs top job, is confident the quality in his squad can cushion the blow of being without Griffiths but has issued a stern warning to the errant striker to cut out such petulance from his game.

“It is not something I condone, it’s lost us a big player, and those type of things won’t be accepted at this club,” said Fenlon. “Leigh has to learn quickly that he’s a good player but needs to eradicate that type of thing from his game. But, we move on from there.

“Leigh has been in the two teams we’ve picked and he’s now not available, but some other players have been good in training so we can adjust. Danny Galbraith, for example, has come in and pleased us with his training and attitude – he has shown he wants to get into the team.

“We have a couple of players close to suspensions and, over coming weeks, we will need to utilise the squad properly but it’s hard to say who come into the reckoning.”

Fenlon watched Hibs’ next opponents, Aberdeen, claim a first away win of the season on Tuesday night at St Johnstone but the manager will not alter his plans to face a newly- buoyed Dons outfit.

“They looked a decent team, they defended really well and caused St Johnstone a fair few problems,” said Fenlon. “They looked better than where they are in table, like ourselves, they’re scrapping for their lives.

“They won on Tuesday, and I’m sure they’ll get a big kick out of that. We’ll prepare for the game in the same way, but won’t change the way we play. Listening to their manager [Craig Brown], he’s been happy with their performances over the weeks, and I’m sure they’ll go into the game with more confidence.”

Hibs’ club captain Ian Murray, who last played first-team football at the end of October, continued his bid to return to the senior side playing in Tuesday’s bounce game against St Mirren but he is still weeks from returning to the first team. Murray played in a similar bounce game last week after recovering from a hip injury but sustained groin trouble, however he has since resumed training.

“We’re hoping there will be no recurrence of the injury,” said Fenlon. “Ian’s a good professional and he might need more games, but it’s matter of making sure he can come through.”

Fenlon also confirmed Hibs will not pursue their interest in two players who were on trial at the club last week.