Hibs face an anxious wait on scan results after David Gray picked up another injury at the weekend (Capital City Press).
The 31-year-old was involved in a heavy collision with St Johnstone’s Scott Tanser. It was enough to force him off the park with a knee injury after 59 minutes. He was then reportedly seen exiting Easter Road on crutches.
It has not been easy for Paul Heckingbottom’s side on the injury front and they could do without losing their key right-back for a sustained period of time.
Gray injury comes at the wrong time for Hibs
Heckingbottom hasn’t been helped by injuries this term. Tom James, Darren McGregor, Lewis Stevenson and Ryan Porteous are just some of the names defensively who’ve struggled with injury.
Further up the pitch you have the likes of Martin Boyle, who’ll be out of action for the rest of 2019. They really haven’t had it easy and it has hindered them slightly.
Hibs haven’t been able to get a regular starting XI on the park, with changes being made to every league starting XI so far this term. It seems like Heckingbottom is trying to work out who fits where in the absence of injured stars.
As for Gray, his injury is not ideal. His influence and leadership at the back is undeniable. Factor that in with his bursting runs down the right and assured defensive performances, it’s somebody they won’t want to miss.
He didn’t feature during the League Cup matches through injury. That leadership and drive was missing from the Hibs side and it’s Gray who does the best job of delivering it.
Knee injuries can be particularly tricky. They can minor bumps that leave a star out for a few weeks, or if it’s really bad, can leave you out for months on end.
Heckingbottom will hope it isn’t the latter. He needs Gray to recover quickly from his latest injury as he is a big player for Hibs when on form.