Losing a new signing, who you’ve paid a significant fee for, to a lengthy injury is never good.
That was the situation not long after Kieron Bowie joined Hibs from Fulham in the summer.
The Easter Road club splashed out a fee on the exciting forward, 22, as they felt he was someone who could be a big prospect for the future but also contribute straight away.
Frustratingly, he only managed four appearances before picking up a serious hamstring injury.
Bowie had shown his qualities at times and is someone the Hibees could be doing with as they struggle at the bottom of the table.
Bowie Hibs injury latest
They could certainly have done with him in recent weeks with an injury to Dwight Gayle and a suspension to Mykola Kuharevich. David Gray was forced to play an out-of-sorts winger Elie Youan at centre forward against St Mirren.
Hibs fans will be encouraged by the news Bowie is back on the grass.
Manager Gray insists the progress is good but there won’t be a comeback to on-pitch action until late December.
He said: “He was back on the grass. I think it’s more of a change of scenery for him getting out on the grass and having a jog rather than being stuck in the gym doing his work. But the feedback I get every single day from the physios and the strength and conditioning department is he’s a very good professional.
“He’s desperate to get back. Does every single rep. Does everything properly and everything you’d expect from him. He is just a real honest, hard-working boy and stays really upbeat, desperate to go and get fit again.
“Mentally, it is really tough. I’ve been there myself; it’s a real challenge. And he’s a young boy coming up. Started really well here.
“So to get that setback, it was a real blow for him, but he’s responded in a real positive way. He’s probably going to need to be pulled back a little bit because that’s the type of guy he is.
“You need to make sure you’re not pushing him too quickly because he’s so keen to do everything right and push himself to get back as quick as he can. But the timescale will still be what it is, around Christmas.”
Bowie settling in at Hibs
You would imagine getting an injury so soon into your time at a new club could be massively destabilising and affect your ability to settle in.
But from what Gray says, it seems Bowie is having no issues.
He insists the 22-year-old is a big character around the place – but also someone he likes to wind up.
“He’s still around the boys all the time,” said Gray: “I quite enjoy winding him up just in general because he’s got two young kids – and now he’s got a dog at the same time just to make things harder for him. I don’t know why he did that but it kind of sums him up.
“He’s a brilliant character around the group. Really fit in well with the boys. I’ve not heard anyone say a bad word about him and I’ve never experienced any issues with him at all. He’s been a real good addition to the group.”