Source: Team_Talk
Hughes: Bamba back in my thoughts
John Hughes has urged Hibs fans to give Sol Bamba their full backing if he plays in Thursday's Europa League meeting with NK Maribor.[LNB] The former Dunfermline player was left out of the first-leg defeat in Slovenia last week after returning late for pre-season training after a summer spent with the Ivory Coast at the World Cup.[LNB]After going AWOL for seven days, the 25-year-old was made to train with the club's youths instead of playing in the 3-0 defeat to the Slovenian Cup holders, and it had been suggested the French-born player could have played his last game for the club.[LNB]However, Bamba returned to first-team training on Tuesday and manager Hughes has hinted he could call on the former PSG apprentice as the Easter Road side bid to overturn Maribor's three-goal cushion on Thursday.[LNB]He said: "He's definitely coming back into our thoughts. I'm not stubborn enough to say he'll never play for Hibs again, or anything like that.[LNB]"I was disappointed in what happened but right at this moment in time it's all hands on deck and if we need Sol Bamba, and if he's fit enough and has the right mind-set and is up for it, then he'll certainly come into our thinking.[LNB]"I'm big enough and man enough to say, right at this moment in time, it's a call to arms and if Sol Bamba is the one we have to go and use, then we have to use him.[LNB]"If we do select him, I hope the fans get right behind him. What's happened is done and dusted, it's history, and he's here.[LNB]"If he's putting that Hibs jersey on you have to get right behind him."[LNB]Hughes has acknowledged his team face a mountainous task in trying to progress after shipping three goals last week.[LNB]However, he firmly believes a famous European night could be on the cards if his side can enjoy a good start to the second leg.[LNB]He added: "First and foremost it would be nice if we were winning the match at half-time, with a clean sheet, then nerves could play a part and then hopefully anything can happen in the second-half.[LNB]"Winning 3-0 you would feel confident but football's a funny game.[LNB]"We'll give them respect, but I think we've still got a few gears to find and I think if we can find them on Thursday, when it matters, then hopefully it will be game on.[LNB]"We might have to fly by the seat of our pants and have a right good go at it, but it's about having a go and that's what I expect from my players on Thursday."
