BY ALAN TEMPLE – @CCP_Sport
CRAIG SIBBALD has returned to Falkirk to receive treatment for a hip injury as uncertainty persists regarding his future.
Sibbald, 22, is currently out of contract and spent last week training with English League Two outfit Luton Town at their pre-season camp in Slovenia.
It is understood the gifted playmaker impressed Hatters boss Nathan Jones but, frustratingly for the player, an untimely knock meant he was unable to take part in their 6-2 win over NK Bravo in Maribor.
With boss Peter Houston still hopeful that Sibbald will sign the contract extension that remains on the table at the Falkirk Stadium, he has returned to the club to receive treatment.
Nevertheless, it is thought Luton are still keen on Sibbald and, should his injury clear in time, he could travel to London at the end of this week to feature as a trialist in their friendly against Boreham Wood.
Falkirk will be due around £250,000 in compensation from Luton if he agrees a switch south of the border, having made his Bairns debut at the age of 16 and, remarkably, made more than 200 appearances for the Championship outfit.
Falkirk assistant James McDonaugh confirmed: “Craig was back in [at Falkirk] receiving a bit of treatment on Tuesday.
“He picked up a wee hip knock, but no-one is quite sure what the future holds with that one. I’m not sure Craig himself even knows. We are just trying to be patient and do the right thing by Craig.
“It’s a big decision for Craig. He wants to pick the right club, somewhere he will settle and not just be there for a season.
“He’ll want to go somewhere that is the right direction for his career. It’s not a case of ‘I want to get out of Falkirk’ – he’s not desperate to do that, he just wants to progress his career.
“If the right club doesn’t come along then hopefully we will be the benefactors from that.”
With Falkirk’s competitive campaign already up and running, defeating Stirling Ablbion 4-1 in the Betfred Cup on Saturday, McDonaugh added: “We’ve no choice but to prepare our team and make plans without Craig.
“If he does sign, which we hope he does, it will be like a new signing for us.”
