Last updated : 17 February 2008 By Ed_ScottishFitba
Manager Mixu Paatelainen has no fresh injury worries ahead of today's game against visitors Aberdeen. That being said, he knows there continues to a doubt over Hibs captain Rob Jones as he missed the last two games with a thigh problem. Midfielder Brian Kerr and defender Chris Hogg should be in the starting line up after returning in the midweek win over Gretna. Martin Canning is wanting to make the most of his second chance in the SPL after becoming the latest addition to Paatelainen's squad. The big centre-back managed to secure a 15-month deal after playing in just two of Hibs reserve games. Canning was released by Gretna last month and looked set to drop down the divisions, with First Division Dundee said to be among those interested. Gretna felt that a long-standing ankle problem meant he would not be a regular first team player. However, Paatelainen obviously takes a different views and feels the defender still has plenty to offer. Canning is determined to put the injury nightmare behind him as he rebuilds his career at Easter Road. He said: "I had the problem for a few years and it got to the point where I had to do something about it. The injury happened before my move to Gretna but was not as serious until recently. I never played much in the Second Division and I rested throughout the summer to come back fit for the start of the following season. It was not quite right though, and during the opening game against Hamilton (last season), I felt it again. But I was eager to play, so we basically just strapped it up to get through the season and thankfully it was never too much of a problem. I went to see the surgeon at the start of this season and he thought that there was a hole in my tendon. He had a look inside and found out that the ligaments had actually snapped."
Aberdeen manager Jimmy Calderwood has a bit of juggling to do with his side after hearing that Darren Mackie picked up a knock in the UEFA Cup draw with Bayern Munich. While Alan Maybury should be okay to play at Easter Road despite suffering a minor injury but Richard Foster, Jamie Smith and Richie Byrne (all hamstring) remain on the sidelines alongside Derek Young and Jackie McNamara, who picked up knocks in the defeat by Celtic last weekend. Calderwood can welcome Stuart Duff back into contention after missing out on the UEFA Cup tie because of registration rules. Dons' captain Scott Severin believes their UEFA Cup exploits can help drive them up the table to ensure more European football in the north east next season. Aberdeen stunned tournament favourites Bayern Munich by twice taking the lead to emerge with some hope of progressing to the last 16 next week. And they now have a chance of moving four points above Hibs and putting the pressure on Dundee United and Motherwell, the teams jostling for third place above them. Severin said: "Everybody wants to be playing on the European stage again and that's what we have to aim for now. We had a taste of it and if we can get our league form back on track, we can hopefully push ourselves back up the tale and try to grab that third spot."
