Hibs injury blow as star man ruled out of Rangers clash - but skipper on mend

Hibs players celebrate Boyle making it 2-0 against St Johnstone on Saturday.Hibs players celebrate Boyle making it 2-0 against St Johnstone on Saturday.
Hibs players celebrate Boyle making it 2-0 against St Johnstone on Saturday. | SNS Group
Winger goes under knife in bid to fix long-term problem

Hibs will be without a resurgent Martin Boyle for their return to Scottish Premiership action. But club captain Joe Newell is expected to win his race to fitness in time to face Rangers at Ibrox.

Boyle has been playing with a heavy strapping on his right arm since pre-season, with the injury causing him serious discomfort in contact situations. Having previously resisted advice to go under the knife, the Socceroos winger has now undergone surgery on his hand and wrist.

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While Hibs will be happy to have Boyle back fully fit and firing on all cylinders after the op, the loss of such an experienced attacker – even for just one game – is a blow. Especially as the 31-year-old looked back to his best in Saturday’s 2-0 win over St Johnstone at Easter Road.

Held back to be used as an impact substitute after spending the international break travelling to Brisbane and Jakarta on World Cup duty, Boyle made the most of his half-hour appearance from the bench – including scoring a brilliant second goal to seal victory for the home side. The fans’ favourite spoke afterwards about his desire to make a major contribution to the team every week, saying: “I’ve been here a few years, I’m not getting any younger, I’m afraid! But I do like that competition. I like to have people challenging for my place; it gives me a lift.

“I want to keep that jersey, not give it to anyone else. That might be a bit selfish. But if it’s working and we’re getting performances, that’s only a good thing.”

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Midfielder Newell, meanwhile, watched Saturday’s first league win of the season from the main stand at Easter Road. Troubled by a groin injury for weeks, the skipper has taken advantage of the current break – Hibs have a blank weekend before heading to Govan on Sunday week – to get treatment and fully recover. The latest medical bulletin from Hibs has Newell bang on track to be back in training next week – and ready to face Rangers away as Hibs return to action in a stop-start stage of the season.

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