Collins optimistic as skipper sees a specialist

HIBS skipper Rob Jones consulted a specialist yesterday in a bid to resolve his groin injury but boss John Collins insisted he's optimistic the defender will be fit to face Inverness this weekend.

The 27-year-old was forced to miss Sunday's defeat to Aberdeen after pulling up in training the day before the game with a tightness in his lower back and pelvis.

The player travelled to Pittodrie with the rest of the squad only to fail a late fitness test but Collins is hopeful that he will manage to shake the injury off in time for the clash with Craig Brewster's side.

But, while Collins admits that Hibs missed Jones' presence in both defence and attack against the Dons, he stressed that his captain will only be thrown straight back into the action at the Caledonian Stadium if he is 100 per cent fit.

"We're hopeful that Rob will be fit but we will have to wait until tomorrow to get a better idea," said Collins.

"I think we're optimistic about his chances because it doesn't look like there's anything serious, there are no tears.

"He saw a specialist yesterday and hopefully they will come back to us with good news, it was more of a precaution then anything else but you never want to take any chances.

"It's important not to rush Rob and we won't be taking any risks because that would be stupid. If he's not ready to play he simply won't play."

Kevin McCann plugged the gap at the back in his absence on Sunday, lining up alongside stand-in skipper Chris Hogg, and, with Jones facing a race against time to prove his fitness for the trip to face Caley, Collins may be forced to shuffle his pack once again.

The Hibs boss has recognised centre-halves Torben Joneleit and Darren McCormack available after they came through yesterday's reserve match against Dundee United unscathed.

The pair have not featured for the first team since September but Collins today urged them to be patient and insisted that their chance will come.

"Torben wasn't really in the squad at the weekend, it was just a very late call-up," he said. "He had trained in a hard session with the reserve boys and, by the time Rob pulled up, Torben had completed that so we went with Kevin McCann. But Torben and Darren are still in my mind and I'm sure their chances will come."

Collins was delighted with the contribution of both players in yesterday's reserve match at Almondvale as Hibs defeated Dundee United 5-1. The Easter Road side opened the scoring through Clayton Donaldson after the former York City striker was teed up by an inch-perfect pass from Damon Gray, although United levelled two minutes later.

Hibs restored their advantage when Donaldson was brought down in the box and Dean Shiels converted the penalty. They were on easy street when Filipe Morais hit a double, the first a stunning 25-yard free-kick, and Gray rounded off the scoring when he rounded the keeper and slotted home after ignoring shouts from the United defence for offside.

Collins added: "It was a great result and performance. That's what we're looking for from the boys, they stuck to their task and played some good football.

"It was a strong side, we had Felipe, Dean, Clayton, Torben and Patrick Noubissie involved and it was a great workout for them."