Hibs boss grants Sol Bamba time off to recuperate

SOL BAMBA has been ruled out of tomorrow's Active Nation Scottish Cup clash with Montrose after Hibs boss John Hughes revealed he's granted the big defender a week's leave.

Bamba was pitched straight back into the action within hours of returning from the African Cup of Nations, scoring an own goal before Hibs fought back to defeat St Mirren.

But today Hughes admitted Bamba's disappointment at the Ivory Coast, the favourites to win the African Cup, making a shock exit had taken its toll on the former Dunfermline star.

So, while his intention was always to give the 25-year-old a few days off to be with his family in Paris, he has now told Bamba not to report back until Monday.

And that means Paul Hanlon will make an immediate return to the side, Hughes admitting his decision to axe him in favour of Bamba had been the toughest he'd been called upon to make given the youngster's performances in the victories over Hamilton and Celtic.

Hughes said: "I spoke to Sol before the Saints match and you could sense the disappointment.

"He talked about the squad being good enough to have won it and touched upon their chances in the World Cup this summer.

"I asked him if he could play for us. There was a bit of trepidation because he'd just come back. He told me he was mentally fatigued but he wanted to play.

"It was a bit of a gamble but we got away with it. He was always going back to Paris for three days but we've told him to have the week, to rest up and enjoy his time with his family.

"We did so in the knowledge of the form Paul has been in. It was a tough call to leave him out last weekend but he will play tomorrow, whether at centre-back or with Ian Murray going in there and Paul at left-back."