Hibs face midfield shortage for Kilmarnock game!

Last updated : 13 March 2008 By Steve Forbes

mixunewboss.jpg picture by 1875steve

Hibs boss Mixu Paatelainen has revealed that the Hibees face a crisis in the midfield department ahead of Saturday's vital SPL clash with
Kilmarnock.

The Hibees defeated Motherwell 1-0 last night to help their cause as the battle it out with the Steelmen and Dundee Utd for a Uefa Cup spot come the end of the season, but it comes at a cost.

Brian Kerr hobbled off after 30 mins last night and looks likely to miss the game with Jim Jeffries side.

Moroccan wizard Merouane Zemmama, who was booted off the park last night by Motherwell's hatchet men, has picked up a knee injury and is also doubtful for the game.

Ian Murray, who was harshly sent off last night, is definitely OUT of Saturday's game due to suspension from his red card against Mark McGhee's side.

French midfield maestro Guillaume Beuzelin is also likely to miss the game, Boozy picked up a knee injury in the recent 2-0 defeat to Celtic at Easter Road and hasn't recovered.

Hibs boss Paatelainen is hoping to get as many players fit for Saturday as possible and said:

"We are facing a shortage of midfielders. Brian went over on his ankle, a Motherwell player landed on it, and five minutes later he went over on it again.

"It was causing him great difficulty moving and he's doubtful for Saturday. Merouane took a bang on his knee and, again, he is doubtful."

The good news for Hibs however is that
Northern Ireland internationalist Dean Shiels is back from suspension and will come back into big Mixu's plans for the weekend.

Algerian full back Abdel Zarabi also comes back into contention after being given a rest by Paatelainen last night, after a hectic start to his Hibs career, the Hibees gaffer said:

"I felt Abdel needed a rest, it isn't easy coming from
France into our high-tempo game."

A bit of a blow for the Hibees but big Mixu must have been delighted with the contribution of young Ross Chisholm when he was introduced to the fold following Kerr's injury.

Lewis Stevenson should also come back into contention, add to that Filipe Morais, John Rankin, Dean Shiels and Alan O'Brien and the Hibees should still have enough to put out a solid midfield.

Thanks once again to Alan Rennie and the Hibernian Interactive team for the use of the photo.

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