Hughes admits Bamba concern

Hughes worried about Bamba

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Hibernian boss John Hughes has conceded Souleymane Bamba's ongoing knee complaint is a source of concern.

The Ivory Coast international has been struggling with a knee problem following his last link-up with The Elephants.

Hughes has been attempting to field the 24-year-old defender in between periods of rest, although the problem is persisting.

The Hibs boss concedes it is closing in on the stage where he might need an operation, but he does not want his international prospects harmed.

Concern

"Sol is a concern, he has had a knee problem for a while and the last time he was away his national team doctor scanned it and he brought that back to Edinburgh with him," he told the club's official website.

"Our physio got in touch with the doctor and between them they came up with an injection to take the inflammation down, that was done and he was given a few days off to rest it up but it has been bothering him for a while.

"It possibly just got to its worse point last week against Aberdeen, he was feeling it at half-time and it was touch and go if he would stay on for the second half.

"We said to him at the start of the week to take a couple of days to rest it, he then thought he could train - on Friday though the ball just caught the tip of his toe and he went down with the pain.

"He had to though report for the national side again and their medical team will assess him, but I have a sneaky feeling he might have the opportunity to go and play, because he had the rest on Saturday it would not surprise me if he played for his national side.

"They have two games back to back I think and that could be a real problem for him, but I sympathise with him. They are going to the World Cup Finals and Sol will want to make sure he is in the team, but he is carrying an injury."