Hibs defender Hogg in line for derby slot

HIBS star Chris Hogg was today expected to return to training, boosting hopes he will be ready to face Capital rivals Hearts in the first derby of the season on Sunday.

Hogg was forced to have a ten-day lay-off after complaining of problems with his eyesight, the result, according to medical staff, of a hefty challenge during Hibs' Co-operative Insurance Cup clash with Morton. Although the 23-year-old defender continued to play, he increasingly found problems judging the flight of the ball in the air, particularly on bright days, and sat out Hibs' victory over Aberdeen at Pittodrie.

Doctors advised him to have ten days of total rest, a period which has now elapsed with Hogg expected to report with his team-mates for the start of the build-up to the derby after they enjoyed a long weekend off.

Boss Mixu Paatelainen, however, insisted no risks will be taken. He said: "Chris has rested for ten days so he should be okay but we'll speak with the medical staff before he starts training again. If he needs another couple of days then that's what we will do."

And rather than put a question against Hogg's fitness, Paatelainen believes the enforced break will have done him the world of good. He said: "It's sometimes good to have a break like that, you return fresh and ready to go. I don't think having that time off will have taken anything away from Chris' fitness and, in any case, we have another six days before the game so there shouldn't be any problems."

Sol Bamba and Dean Shiels were missing when the squad returned this morning, Bamba returning from the Ivory Coast where his country made it through to the next African round of World Cup qualifying with a 3-0 win over Madagascar although the Hibs star didn't even make the bench.

Shiels was an unused substitute as Northern Ireland went down 2-0 in Slovenia but will stay with Nigel Worthington's squad for the second game in their World Cup qualifying double-header against San Marino in Belfast on Wednesday night.

Merouane Zemmama, on loan to Al'Shaab in the United Arab Emirates, was, however, in World Cup action, scoring on his international debut as Morocco beat Mauritania 4-1 in Rabat to move on to the next qualifying round as the African nations are whittled down from 53 to five for the finals in 2010.

Meanwhile, Paatelainen today revealed he expects to extend striker Ross Campbell's loan period with Dunfermline. Campbell joined the Pars for a month, scoring his first competitive goal in a 1-1 draw with Morton.

Pars boss Jim McIntyre is keen to keep him at East End Park and Paatelainen said: "I haven't had a chance to speak to Jim having been at Hampden on Saturday and then the SPL coaches forum at Gleneagles yesterday. But I'm sure we'll have a chat this week. I'll also speak to Ross to see how he feels but if all parties are happy then it will probably happen."

Hibs reserves play Rangers at Almondvale tomorrow (kick-off 2pm).