Exclusive:Hibs star Rocky Bushiri injury details emerge as fan favourite begins recovery amid transfer activity update
Second summer signing on cards as midfielder deal close
Hibs will be without Rocky Bushiri for the longer term as the central defender embarks on a long road back to full fitness. The Evening News can confirm that fan favourite Bushiri is facing a lengthy spell in rehabilitation after suffering a serious Achilles’ tendon injury in the final game of last season.
No-one at Hibs is putting a definite timescale on a return for the Democratic Republic of Congo international, who would have been competing at the World Cup right now but for the devastating injury blow. But the average recovery time for an injury of this nature can be anywhere between six and 12 months.
Bushiri, a key member of the DRC squad who ended a 52-year wait for the nation’s return to the World Cup, has vowed to give everything on the road back to full fitness. In a post on social media earlier this summer, the popular 26-year-old said: “I’m ready to face this challenge head on. I’ll be back better and stronger. Thank you all for the kind messages, support and prayers.”
Hibs are working with medical experts on a programme of recovery for Bushiri, who has become a hugely important figure under manager David Gray. The dominant centre-half signed a new three-year contract last summer, after briefly exploring the market as a free agent.
New central defender on board
Gray has already moved to strengthen his back line as a result of the Bushiri injury, with former St Johnstone Cup Double winner Jason Kerr signing as a free agent earlier this week. The manager describes 29-year-old Kerr as “a real leader both on and off the pitch.”
With Grant Hanley still on World Cup duty and Munashe Garananga returning to parent club Copenhagen after an injury-affected half-season loan spell in Scotland, however, there is still the potential for Hibs to bring in another central defender before the new campaign kicks off. Gray’s men play their first competitive game on July 23, with a UEFA Conference League second qualifying round tie away to the winners of the first qualifying clash between Albanian side FK Vllaznia or Kosovan underdogs FC Malisheva.
Midfielder signing imminent
Hibs are closing in, meanwhile, on their second summer signing of the season. And it’s expected that midfielder Callum Wright will complete his move to Easter Road within the next 72 hours. The versatile former Plymouth Argyle regular spent last season on loan at Wigan Athletic, where he played alongside Kerr. He was an absolute stand-out for the League One side - and swept the board at the club’s end of season awards.
A striker is also on the wanted list for Gray, despite Martin Boyle’s contract U-turn at the very end of last season. But club record signing Thibault Klidje will be given a chance to prove himself in pre-season, despite failing to make any impact following his £1.5million move to Scottish football last summer. The Togo international, who scored just four goals before being loaned out to Danish club Randers FC in January, will report back to East Mains for training with the rest of the squad on Monday.