Riordan injury doubt for Hibs

DEREK RIORDAN will be wrapped up in cotton wool this week as he bids to shake off a niggling groin injury in time to face Dundee United at Easter Road this weekend.

The striker is in line for his debut second time around when Hibs resume their SPL campaign with a home game against Craig Levein's side on Saturday.

Riordan revealed last week that he can't wait to step out in front of the Hibs supporters again, having spent a miserable two seasons working with Gordon Strachan at Parkhead where he made just 11 appearances in all competitions for Celtic last campaign.

Hibs boss Mixu Paatelainen admitted that he is excited by the prospect of Riordan linking up with the likes of Steven Fletcher and Colin Nish, but insisted today he won't rush the striker back until he is 100 per cent certain he is fully fit.

Paatelainen said: "Derek has got a little niggle with his groin which we need to work on this week.

"He had it when he arrived at the club and we don't think that it is too serious, but obviously we don't want to risk making it worse by playing him too soon.

"We have got to remember that he has not played too much football over the last couple of years really so we know that we will have to work on his match fitness."

Supporters have hailed his return and hundreds turned out at Easter Road to see Riordan paraded at a press conference last week after agreeing a three-year deal to make the switch back from Parkhead.

However Paatelainen insisted that the 25-year-old striker has a strong enough character to take the high expectations in his stride, adding: "It is understandable because he did so well when he was at the club the last time. Everyone expects so much from him and straight away – and Derek probably expects so much from himself as well, that is just the type of player that he is.

"He is the type of person who can cope with that kind of pressure."

Meanwhile, Paatelainen was delighted with Steven Fletcher's call-up to the full Scotland squad for the World Cup qualifier against Iceland. The Hibs striker had been part of the under-21s squad for tomorrow night's vital European Championship qualifying match against Denmark – the final game of their group.

However, having seen his senior side lose out to Macedonia in the opening game of their World Cup campaign, George Burley has given Fletch the nod to make the move back into the full squad.

And Paatelainen added: "It is great for Steven and thoroughly deserved. I am not surprised that he has been called up, I watched him play the other night and I thought that he did so well."