Hibs defender Paul Hanlon set to miss Scottish Cup clash through injury

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Hibs head coach Neil Lennon is hoping that defender Paul Hanlon will be available for the Championship clash away to Queen of the South at the end of the month after being hampered by a worsening pelvis injury.

The centre-half sat out the weekend’s narrow 1-0 victory at Dumbarton and former Celtic manager Lennon also plans to rest the 26-year-old for Saturday’s Scottish Cup fourth round clash against junior outfit Bonnyrigg Rose at Tynecastle.

Hanlon’s form in helping leaders Hibs keep a total of eleven clean sheets in the league has led to calls for a Scotland call-up and Lennon is hoping a break will help the player recover from the problem.

Lennon, speaking to Hibs TV, said: “He had a cortisone injection and he’s had a real problem with his pelvis for the last four, five weeks – to the point where really he shouldn’t have played at Falkirk on the plastic.

“He came through Dundee United but increasingly he was getting worse. I didn’t want to risk him for any length of time.

“I wouldn’t say we’ve got a two week break but I can use the squad a little bit more with the cup game and give Paul a little bit of extra time to come back for the league.”