Hibs defender Thierry Gathuessi set to start against Gretna

Last updated : 09 November 2007 By Steve Forbes


Hibs' Cameroon international defender Thierry Gathuessi is set to start tomorrow's SPL clash with bottom club Gretna.

The Hibees first choice left back, the outstanding David Murphy, looks likely to miss the game, despite returning to training on Wednesday.

Murphy, 23, picked up a rib injury in the Edinburgh derby on Sunday, but returned to training on Wednesday and looked fine, only to break down the next day, casting serious doubts that he will play at Fir Park on Saturday.

It will be Gathuessi's first SPL start in six weeks and will give the Hibees new boy a chance to stake a claim in the first team.

Gathuessi has made a promising start to his Easter Road career following his summer move from French club FC Sete. The defender has put in a number of solid performances and also grabbed a Hibs second goal in a 3-2 win over Celtic at Easter Road.

Hibs boss John Collins has all but ruled David Murphy out and said:

"It was a bit of a surprise but when David started twisting and turning yesterday he felt it again. Rib injuries are one of the most painful things you can get and at the moment he is struggling."

Collins is confident in the ability of full back Gathuessi, he said:

"Thierry has been very unlucky not to have been in the side in recent weeks because he has done very well. I thought he was man of the match in our reserve game against St Mirren in midweek even although we lost the game.

"He's been playing regularly throughout the period he hasn't been in the first team so there's no worries over his match fitness."

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