Jorge Claros clear for Hibs debut against Aberdeen

The 26-year-old was one of four transfer deadline day signings by Easter Road boss Pat Fenlon but had to watch from the stand as Hibs beat Kilmarnock in the William Hill Scottish Cup last weekend.

Fenlon stepped in to snap him up on a one-year loan deal from Honduran club Motagua, but, although he had been on trial at Rangers before the Ibrox side decided not to offer him a contract, the visa Claros had didn’t allow him to work in this country. Obtaining the necessary paperwork required Claros, capped 31 times by Honduras, to leave Scotland but it is understood Hibs managed to avoid him having to make the lengthy return journey to Central America by completing the procedure in Europe.

Hibs confirmed today that Claros has returned to Edinburgh to rejoin his new team-mates in training and will be available for the visit of the Dons, a match vital to the Capital club’s top-flight survival hopes with relegation rivals Dunfermline having pulled themselves level on points after Tuesday’s draw against Killie.

While he’ll welcome the option of fielding Claros, Fenlon has a headache ahead of Saturday with central defenders James McPake and Paul Hanlon suspended along with Leigh Griffiths. The absence of the striker can be compensated for as Garry O’Connor, Eoin Doyle and Roy O’Donovan are all available. But Fenlon will be forced into another overhaul of his back four, with Matt Doherty likely to team up with David Stephens in the centre and George Francomb coming in at right back.