HIBERNIAN have been struck a major blow after it emerged Vykintas Slivka is struggling to be fit for the Premiership kick-off next month.
The former Juventus midfielder was given extra time off this summer after playing for Lithuania in their Euro 2020 qualifiers against Luxembourg and Serbia last month.
But the 24-year-old then returned to Easter Road with a hip injury and is giving manager Paul Heckingbottom cause for concern.
READ MORE:
Hibs manager Heckingbottom eyes 'one or two' more signingsHibs, who kick off their Betfred Cup campaign away to Stirling Albion on Saturday, are already light in midfield after the departures of Mark Milligan, Stephane Omeonga and Gael Bigirimana at the end of last term.
However, despite only having Scott Allan, Stevie Mallan and youngster Fraser Murray available for the central midfield berths, Heckingbottom is eager for Slivka to complete a pre-season schedule once he shakes off his injury.
He said: “Vicky has returned injured and, for me, in my mind, he’s some way off.
“We’ve got to get him fit but then he’s got to do the work the players have done, the pre-season work.
“I’m not considering him because he’s not even training with us yet and when he does train with us he’s got to do all the work.
“So, he’ll be a while.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here