Hibs boss confident Fletcher will be fine despite injury

HIBS boss Mixu Paatelainen was today convinced Scotland striker Steven Fletcher will be fit to face Motherwell in Saturday's Euro showdown despite picking up a chest injury on his Hampden debut.

The Easter Road youngster's 21st-birthday celebrations were cut short as he was forced to quit the friendly against Croatia at half-time, immediately raising concerns over his fitness for the trip to Fir Park.

But, while Scotland coach George Burley, who saw his first match in charge of the national side end in a creditable 1-1 draw, described the blow Fletcher had taken to his chest as "painful", Paatelainen believes his 14-goal hitman will be desperate to play against Motherwell.

He said: "For any player, even if it isn't your first time, it is fantastic to play for your national team. It's a real confidence booster and hopefully Steven will return with a spring in his step." Before being replaced by Gavin Rae, Fletcher had a hand in Scotland's equaliser, threading a pass through for Kenny Miller to claim his 11th international goal – and afterwards Burley admitted the Hibs youngster had caught his eye. He said: "I thought he did well. He is a young player who has been doing very well for Hibs and he deserved his call-up. I am sure he will play a big part in the next few years for Scotland."

Another whom Paatelainen believes will be back at Easter Road desperate to be involved at the weekend is Moroccan striker Abdessalam Benjelloun, who stepped off the bench to score his country's last goal in their 4-1 win over Belgium in Brussels.

Like Fletcher, it was Benji's first full cap and again Paatelainen hopes the experience will prove beneficial for Hibs with the former Moghreb Fes forward having only this week expressed his frustration at a lack of starting opportunities at Easter Road.

The Hibs manager said: "It's fantastic for Benji. He's been unfortunate with injuries this season and others have taken the chance to play and do well but to come off the bench and score in your first full international is a wonderful boost for the confidence."

Paatelainen took in Finland's under-21 European Championship qualifying match against Scotland at Pittodrie last night, a match which the young Scots won 2-1 with Hibs' Ross Campbell who, like Benji, has been on the periphery for much of the season, playing the first 56 minutes.

But Paatelainen revealed Yves Ma-Kalambay hadn't travelled as intended for Belgium's under-21 clash with Cyprus in Paphos, instead staying in Edinburgh to receive treatment for the groin problem which has troubled him since Hibs' win over Falkirk a month ago.

However, Paatelainen believes the big keeper will be ready for the trip to Lanarkshire.

The Finn also insisted he has no intentions of carrying out his own inspection of the Fir Park pitch.

He said: "If the pitch is playable and we can pass the ball then there is no problem."