Hibs' Dylan McGeouch major doubt for League Cup final

Dylan McGeouch is facing the prospect of missing Sunday's League Cup final after suffering more groin problems in Hibs' Scottish Cup quarter-final clash with Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
By The Newsroom
Published 7th Mar 2016, 06:30 BST
Dylan McGeouch was substituted after just 24 minutes of yesterdays cup tieDylan McGeouch was substituted after just 24 minutes of yesterdays cup tie
Dylan McGeouch was substituted after just 24 minutes of yesterdays cup tie

The midfielder returned to the side yesterday after missing the previous two league games through injury but lasted only 24 minutes of the 1-1 draw at home to the Highlanders before dropping to the ground in clear discomfort and leaving the field to be replaced by Niklas Gunnarsson.

The former Celtic player was due to fly out to Malaga today with the rest of the Hibs squad as they head to the La Cala complex on the Costa del Sol for a four-day training camp ahead of this weekend’s Hampden showdown with Ross County.

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However, head coach Alan Stubbs admits things are not looking good for McGeouch.

“It’s looking like Dylan’s a doubt for Sunday,” he said. “He trained all week and had no problems but it just seems to bother him when it gets to a match.

“It wasn’t the left-hand side of his groin, which he’s been feeling lately, it was the other side. We’re really disappointed because we know how important he is for us.

“He’s really disappointed. I really feel for him and all the lads feel for him because he’s tried to get back.

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“He was ready to play and we wanted to try and get some game time into him against Inverness but unfortunately he’s felt the other side of his groin.

“We’ll assess him and see the extent of the injury. He just felt it tighten.

“It’s not as if anything’s torn or ruptured. We’re hoping it’s nothing too significant and that it’s only a matter of days rather than several weeks.”

The absence of McGeouch would be a blow for a Hibs side already without defender Paul Hanlon through injury. It could be offset slightly be the possible return of Fraser Fyvie following a month 
out with medial ligament damage, although the former Aberdeen and Wigan Athletic midfielder must prove his fitness in Spain this week to have a chance of featuring.

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“Fraser’s looking okay with regard to Sunday,” said Stubbs.

“It will be a close call over him. We’re hoping he’ll be able to train in the early part of the week.

“If he does that and he comes through it, he’ll be in contention for the weekend.”

After yesterday’s draw, Hibs will face Inverness in a quarter-final replay at Caledonian Stadium on Wednesday week.

The reward for the winners of that match will be a semi-final tie against Dundee United on the weekend of April 16/17.

Related topics:HibsCeltic