Hibs forward Steven Fletcher OUT of CIS Cup clash with Motherwell!

Last updated : 25 September 2007 By Steve Forbes


Hibs have received a blow ahead of tomorrow night's CIS Cup tie with Motherwell at Easter Road, after it was revealed that Scotland U-21 striker Steven Fletcher looks certain to miss the game.

Fletcher, 20, was rushed to hospital on Sunday after a challenge with Celtic defender Stephen McManus left the player lying on the ground in agony, needing oxygen, with a suspected broken leg.

Doctors at
Edinburgh Royal Infirmary gave Fletcher, the Hibees top goal scorer this season, the all clear after a scan but he will likely be left out tomorrow night as a precaution.

The Hibs striker said:

"It was a bit of a scary time. I was in real pain from the impact. I don't know what part of his body hit me but when I tried to stand up and take a step I just fell over again.

"The physio came on but every time he touched my leg it just got sorer and sorer. Then I could hear the physio and doctors talking about it possibly being a broken leg and a bit of shock set in and I was given oxygen. They are the experts and at that moment all sorts of things went through my head including that it might be the end of my season.

"The staff at the hospital were terrific. They kept me calm and I was taken straight away. The x-ray of my left shin came back to show there was no break which was brilliant to hear and I was in the car on my way back to Easter Road screaming the place down when I heard on the radio that Deano had scored the winner."

A big blow for the Hibees, but with players of the calibre of Dean Shiels, Alan O'Brien, Filipe Morais and Benji ready to step in, the Hibees should be as potent in attack as ever.

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