Hibs face a fight from
Ecuador over Ulises
National claims on player could harm
club career- STUART
CROWTHER
CALLS
BY ECUADOR BOSS Herman Dario Gomez to play up to 15 friendlies ahead
of next summers World Cup finals could spell trouble for Hibernian and
Ulises de la Cruz, according to reports from Ecuador this morning.
The
Ecuador coach is not taking kindly to suggestions from Hibs boss Alex
McLeish that De La Cruz may not be released for friendly warm-up games in
South America, although the Hibs manager did indicate that he would be
happy for De La Cruz to be released for any games Ecuador arrange in
Europe. It has already been reported that the Hibs boss has
contacted Gomez asking that 27-year-old De La Cruz is not picked for the
Gold Cup tournament in the United States next month, but as yet the club
have not received a reply from the Ecuador authorities.
Hibs.net
understands that Gomez is looking to have ALL his squad playing in a
tournament to which Ecuador were invited as guests on the back of their
first ever qualification for the World Cup finals. And that could
mean De La Cruz being posted missing for at least 3 weeks, in addition to
absence for other friendlies organised by his national coach. Gomez
said yesterday: "We must make
sure we are properly prepared for the World Cup, regardless of the number
of matches we have to play."
While Hibs can insist that De La Cruz does not travel for any game that is
not sanctioned by FIFA, they would not wish to become embroiled in a club
v country scenario, so McLeish will be hoping that the Ecuadorian
authorities are prepared to give a little.
De La Cruz - international calls (sns)
Meanwhile
Raith Rovers midfielder Kevin Nicol, currently on loan at Easter Road, is
hoping that he has done enough to impress Hibs to make the move
permanent. The 19-year-old has impressed in recent Under-21 games
for the club, told the Edinburgh Evening News last night: "I
played 20 or so first-team games for Raith last season, and I felt I did
quite well. But I did not feel I was improving enough so I refused
to sign a new contract. It was a big risk in trying to get away but
if the move to Hibs comes off it will be well worth it."
Hibs
striker Craig Brewster confirmed yesterday that he will be out for at
least a month. Brewster suffered a shoulder injury and had hoped to
play through the pain, however he has been advised to take a complete rest
for at least 4 weeks and will not be out of contention until the 3rd round
of the Scottish Cup in January. Fans meanwhile are still awaiting
the arrival of Ecuador striker Eduardo Hurtado, with Alex McLeish saying
last night: "It is not a done
deal and we won't make any comment until we are ready to say
something."
Hibs.net
will preview this weekends SPL match against Motherwell this evening, with
comments from Hibs boss Alex McLeish.
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