Boost for Hibs as Zemmama targets return

HIBS were handed a massive boost today with the news that Moroccan playmaker Merouane Zemmama is in line to be back in action within a month.

The midfield star has been sidelined since breaking a bone in his right foot, an injury which forced him to miss the final matches of last season and the opening games of the new campaign.

But Zemmama is now back in full training with Mixu Paatelainen's squad, the Hibs boss believing he could return after next month's international break for Scotland's first World Cup qualifiers against Macedonia and Iceland, with the visit of Dundee United on September 13 ringed as a possible comeback date.

And today Paatelainen admitted he couldn't wait to see Zouma return to action. He said: "It will be absolutely fantastic to get him back because he is a terrific football player. You always miss quality players and Merouane certainly falls into that category. He's someone who makes things happen and I have to say I can't wait to see him back."

Zemmama's return will further heighten competition for a midfield berth in Paatelainen's side with a rejuvenated Alan O'Brien adding to the summer arrivals of Steven Thicot and Joe Keenan to fight it out with the likes of John Rankin, Ian Murray, Dean Shiels, Lewis Stevenson and Ross Chisholm for a jersey.

Paatelainen said: "It will be a big headache for me but a welcome one.

That's what I always wanted and I've been given the opportunity to build the squad and that will continue but now it is a matter of making sure the boys gel together as soon as possible."

Meanwhile, Paatelainen today admitted he was becoming increasingly frustrated at the time it is taking to obtain international clearance for French star Steve Pinau following his arrival on a season-long loan deal from Italian club Genoa.

Hibs asked the SFA to obtain the necessary paperwork from their Italian counterparts almost a fortnight ago but, as yet, it has not been completed.

Paatelainen was hoping he'd get the green light today but admitted the matter was out of the club's hands.

He said: "It is not our fault, the issue has to be dealt with between the national associations.

"There's been daily contact between ourselves and the SFA and I am sure they've been doing likewise with the Italians. We should finally get the clearance today but we'll have to wait and see.

"It's taken a long time, longer than usual and it does become frustrating. There's no point in having a player if he is not able to play."

Paatelainen had hoped to include Pinau in his squad for last weekend's win over Falkirk and provided he's given the go-ahead in time, the 20-year-old will make the trip to Inverness on Saturday.

He said: "Steve is not fully match fit but he'll only get that through playing games. He can't even take part in reserve matches at the moment. I can't understand that because trialists can play in these games and yet Steve isn't allowed to do so."

Hibs goalkeeper Yves Ma-Kalambay missed out on the chance of an Olympic gold medal as Belgium were beaten 4-1 by Nigeria in the semi-final as the Easter Road star was again confined to the bench.

Belgium will now face Brazil, who beat them 1-0 in their opening match in the competition, to decide the bronze medals on Friday while Argentina, having beaten their South American neighbours 3-0, will fight it out with the African nation for gold the following day.