BY ALAN TEMPLE – @CCP_Sport
NEIL LENNON is hopeful Fraser Fyvie will be fit for Hibernian’s top of the table clash against Dundee United as the playmaker continues to battle a persistent groin complaint.
The 23-year-old limped off after 61 minutes of Hibs’ handsome 4-0 win over Queen of the South on Saturday, sparking fears he could be a doubt for the televised trip to Tannadice next Friday.
Easter Road medical staff will monitor Fyvie’s progress in the coming days, with Lennon keen to use a free week – the capital club are not in action in the Scottish Cup – to ease the player back into training.
He said: “Fraser has had a slight groin problem and he sort of stubbed the ground a little bit against Queens, giving it a bit of a jolt.
“We just have to monitor him carefully, but I think he should be fine for Dundee United.
“We’ve had to tone down his training in the last couple of weeks because he has been getting a little discomfort in there.
“But the beauty now is that we have a break when Fraser can make the most of it and build back to full training either this week or the beginning of next.”
Meanwhile, Lennon has admitted he was at fault for not giving Brian Graham a chance to shine against Falkirk earlier this month – and hailed the big striker for proving that point against Queen of the South.
A 1-1 draw against the Bairns on November 12 is the only slight blemish on an otherwise perfect run of five matches for the Hibees, and Lennon chose to keep Graham on the bench as they sought a winner against Falkirk’s 10 men.
But the former Ross County marksman made up for lost time after being pitched into the starting line-up on Saturday, opening the scoring after just seven minutes to spark a rout.
Lennon told Hibs TV: “Brian has been champing at the bit. Grant Holt has done nothing wrong – but he’s 35 years old, and Brian hasn’t had much game-time.
“I sort of regretted not putting him on against Falkirk and I’ve spoken to Brian and said: ‘Listen, I made a mistake.’
“Watching him this week, he was buoyant and I wanted to see what he could do. He gave us a brilliant start and that is him on four goals for us now in a limited period of time – so he is an asset for us going forward.”
