Hibs support takes tough line with AWOL Sol Bamba

HIBERNIAN defender Sol Bamba has been warned only a grovelling apology to the club's fans will mend the damage done by his disappearing act.

Supporters' Association representative Frank Dougan is appalled by the Ivory Coast international's behaviour and reckons fans won't accept his excuses for failing to join up with the squad on Monday at their training base in Holland.

Manager John Hughes admits he feels let down by Bamba for going AWOL after giving the player an extended summer break following his involvement at the World Cup. Bamba, who didn't even feature in South Africa, then hit back, claiming he's angry at Hibs for going public over the situation and that he told the club he would not be returning until this weekend.

The former Dunfermline centre half is now set to miss Hibs' forthcoming Europa League tie and Dougan insists the fans will find it hard to forgive him. He said: "I think it would take a big apology for him to come back into the team and pick up where things were prior to him leaving for the World Cup. If he did that the fans would probably accept him back. The fans could turn on him, though, they will find it hard to accept what's happened. Other players have come out and worked very hard to get their fitness level up. It's a team game and I don't think he is part of that at the moment."

Hibs were last night refusing to confirm if contact had been made with the errant Bamba after initial attempts to speak to the 25-year-old failed. The club are now treating the player's behaviour as an internal matter after releasing a statement confirming that he did not turn up for training on Monday as planned.

Hibs defender Paul Hanlon insists he can fill the void left by Bamba in next week's crucial Europa League tie.

Hughes has ruled him out of the third round qualifying clash, against the winners of last night's Maribor v Videoton tie.

Hanlon has started the first three of their four warm-up matches in Holland and is hoping a place in the team for tomorrow's clash against Vitesse Arnhem is a clear signal that he will partner captain Chris Hogg at the back in Europe. The Scotland Under-21 internationalist already has experience of competitive football on the continent having played in both legs of the 4-0 InterToto Cup aggregate defeat to Swedes Elfsborg two years ago. Summer recruit David Stephens is also a contender to start but Hanlon appears to be favourite to step in for his controversial team-mate.

Hanlon said: "I want to be in the manager's thoughts for the game, every day I play I want to play my best.

"I try and do what he asks and if that means I'm in the starting line-up then I would be delighted with that. I don't know what is happening with Sol to be honest so I can't really comment on it.

"If you're playing well then you're going to be in the manager's thoughts for the European game. If I get the nod for the Vitesse match, I have to do my best with the European game coming up."