Hibs have just revealed that young defender Ryan Porteous will be out for the rest of the season.
Porteous, 19, went for surgery earlier this week, and it's bad news.
Speaking to the official website, the outstanding youngster said:
“It obviously came as a blow to hear the news that I would miss the rest of the season but I’m trying to look at the positives.
“This season has exceeded my expectations. I just hoped to be challenging for a place in and around the first team, so to have played so many games at my age has been a real bonus.
“I like to think I’ve earned it through hard work but there aren’t many clubs that would put faith in a young centre-back.
“That’s not the case here. You only have to look at the other Academy boys who have had their chance recently.
“On top of that I was able to make the breakthrough into the Scotland Under-21 squad, so it’s been a memorable few months for me.
“This is just a temporary setback that I’ll get my head around.
“What matters now is that I follow all the advice from the staff, get stuck into the rehab and hopefully make sure I’m good to go for pre-season.
“It also gives me the chance to work on a few other areas of my game, whether it’s in the gym or through some analysis.
“I always want to play but the club’s right to put my long-term health first and get this taken care of.
“I’m looking forward to being back in amongst it but, in the meantime, I’ll be cheering on the rest of the lads like everyone else. I’ll need to dig my old scarf out.”
A huge blow, leaving Hibs with only TWO central defenders with only hours of the window left.
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