BY ALAN TEMPLE – Capital City Press
Hibernian striker Farid El Alagui is closing in on a first-team comeback after scoring on his return to action.
The 30-year-old has endured a torrid time with injuries since arriving at Easter Road last summer, initially suffering a ruptured achilles tendon last August which halted a run of four goals in his first six games and kept him out for six months.
He returned to full fitness in March and underlined his value with a memorable clipped goal in April’s 2-0 victory over fierce city rivals Hearts.
However, El Alagui has is yet to feature for the Hibees this term after undergoing an operation to remove a pin which aided his recovery from last season’s injury.
That could soon change after the former Falkirk, Brentford and Dundee United front-man made a heartening return to action.
He was deployed in attack for Hibs’ second string in a bounce game at their East Lothian training complex and found the net in a triumph over their Dundee counter-parts.
El Alagui emerged unscathed from the outing as he accelerates his return to full fitness.
He will not be risked when Hibs face Queen of the South on the artificial turf of Palmerston Park this weekend but has been pencilled in to feature for the development squad against Ross County next Tuesday.
The French-Moroccan could then come into contention for his first outing for Hibs’ first-team since May 23 when Dumbarton visit Leith following the international break.
