Gathuessi steps in amid doubt over Murphy

HIBS boss John Collins today put Thierry Gathuessi on standby for his first SPL match in almost six weeks after all but ruling David Murphy out of tomorrow's clash with relegation-threatened Gretna.

Collins had believed Murphy would be ready for the trip to Fir Park despite picking up a rib injury as he was sent crashing to the ground by Hearts striker Calum Elliot in the dying seconds of last Sunday's derby.

Although the classy left-back was unable to train earlier in the week he rejoined the squad on Wednesday and completed that day's work-out without any apparent problems.

However, Murphy was forced to drop out of yesterday's training session complaining of ongoing pain and today Collins admitted it doesn't look as if he'll recover over the next 24 hours.

Collins said: "It was a bit of a surprise but when David started twisting and turning yesterday he felt it again. Rib injuries are one of the most painful things you can get and at the moment he is struggling."

Like all SPL sides, Hibs will have a two-week break following tomorrow's match due to Scotland's Euro 2008 showdown with Italy but even so Collins insisted he wouldn't be tempted to take any risks with Murphy, preferring instead to ensure he is 100 per cent fit for the visit of Dundee United in a fortnight's time.

And, rather than move Lewis Stevenson, who showed he has returned to top form during the 1-1 draw with Hearts, back, Collins is likely to turn to Cameroon international Gathuessi, who hasn't featured for the top team since the 4-1 win over Kilmarnock at the end of September.

Collins said: "Thierry has been very unlucky not to have been in the side in recent weeks because he has done very well. I thought he was man of the match in our reserve game against St Mirren in midweek even although we lost the game.

"He's been playing regularly throughout the period he hasn't been in the first team so there's no worries over his match fitness."

Collins was also delighted to see Scotland Under-21 midfielder Stevenson begin to return to form. He said: "It's come as no surprise to me as I said it would happen.

"Even so, it's good to see him back to his old self, driving with the ball, looking powerful."

Although virtually the length of the SPL table separates Hibs from Gretna, Collins warned the game at Park won't be as straight forward as many Easter Road fans may imagine.

The fact Davie Irons' side will now have settled into their temporary home, allied to their recent victory over Dundee United, a close encounter with Celtic and the fright they gave Hibs earlier in the season when they took a 2-0 lead before losing 4-2, will all be features of Collins' pre-match team talk.

He said: "Without a doubt having to play their home matches at Fir Park will have been a handicap for them. I'd imagine every match would seem like an away game initially, perhaps the first four or five.

"But now they will have settled in and got used to playing there. They gave us a fright last time we met which is a lesson for us all and we don't want to give anyone that sort of advantage again.

"The important thing is that we start the match as we did the derby - sharp, bright and straight into the flow of the game."