Kevin Nisbet to star for Hibs next week as striker returns but Aiden McGeady caution remains
The 25-year-old has been sidelined after rupturing his ACL against Celtic in February.
Scotland international Kevin Nisbet will make his long-awaited return from an ACL injury for Hibs against Middlesbrough next week.
But Aiden McGeady ’s comeback could be delayed with Lee Johnson unconvinced the veteran winger is yet ready for competitive action. Johnson has been deprived of Nisbet’s services since taking over at Easter Road in May with the 25-year-old having been sidelined after rupturing his ACL against Celtic in February.
The Hibs boss has refused to rush the striker's rehab. But he admitted after Saturday’s defeat to Kilmarnock he wished he’d bitten the bullet and thrown him in to help arrest the club’s miserable run that’s seen them lose five of their last six games. He will finally get to unleash the goalscorer in a World Cup break friendly against Boro at Eastser Road on Saturday, November 26, then again against FC Edinburgh in Leith on December 8.
Summer signing McGeady though could be waiting a wee while longer to return from his own knee issue.
Johnson said: “Kevin Nisbet will play in both the friendlies we have.. Aiden McGeady, I’m not so sure about. He’s moving pretty well, in terms of his running and he’s still got that scamper of pace over five yards. Hibs haven’t seen the real Aiden yet, in terms of his commitment to striking a ball or to leaving his knee lax with a volley or a corner or a free-kick from the edge of the box or a whipped delivery.
“That’s the focus with him. Can he play without pain and trust that that ligament is not going to give way again?
"That’s the only question with him, really. We know his undoubted quality but it’s that pinch we’ve got to try to get rid of. At the moment, he’s doing almost all parts of the sessions, apart from tackling and that full force through his right knee for a shot or a cross. He’s still getting a nip on it. That’s the bit that time will tell on."