Hibs will step up their hunt for a new midfielder after the club confirmed that Stevie Mallan will be missing for around two months following a knee operation.
Mallan aggravated a long standing problem in the final stages of the Hibees’ Edinburgh derby win over Hearts on Boxing Day, and hasn’t appeared since.
He didn’t travel with the squad to their winter training camp in Spain last week, and Jack Ross admitted that the severity of his injury could determine whether he looks to add a midfielder before the end of the transfer window.
That now looks likely after Mallan went under the knife yesterday. Ross had been hopeful that surgery wouldn’t be required, but will now be without the dead ball specialist until March.
Mallan will begin his rehabilitation immediately, and hopes his teammates can ensure he has more cup ties to return to with Hibs at Dundee United for their third round tie this Sunday.
Mallan said: “It’s an important part of the season with some exciting games coming up, so I’m disappointed to be ruled out for a few weeks.
“The surgeon was pleased with how everything went, and I know I’ll be in safe hands at HTC.
“I’ve been given two months as a rough guide but I’ll throw myself into the programme that’s been drawn up for me and see where it takes me.
“It goes without saying that I wish the boys all the best in the meantime and I’m looking forward to getting back out there with him.”
