BY IAIN COLLIN – Capital City Press
Alan Stubbs has warned Hibernian will have to be patient as they await the first-team return of popular striker Farid El Alagui.
The Frenchman, who missed most of last term with a ruptured Achilles tendon, has not yet made a top-team appearance this season after undergoing minor knee surgery in the summer and then an operation to remove a pin from his ankle.
It has been a frustrating spell for the 30-year-old, who scored five times in 13 appearances or Hibs after joining last summer.
There finally appears to be light at the end of the tunnel, though, for the former Falkirk and Brentford marksman after he scored in a bounce game against Dundee’s development squad last week.
He also played for 90 minutes for Hibs’ under-20s against Ross County on Tuesday night.
However, Stubbs has warned both the fans and the player not to expect too much too soon.
The head coach said: “He’s still not close yet, he’s still a good few games away.
“He’s been out a long time and to think he’s back would be the wrong thing.
“It would be the wrong thing for the fans to think, but it would be the wrong thing for Farid as well.
“He’s still, I’d say, a good few weeks away from being with the first-team.”
@IainCollin
