Hibernian Football Club News

• Nickname:The Hibees
• Founded:1875
• Manager:Mixu Paatelainen

• Ground:Easter Road
• Capacity:18,000

Zemmama short of fitness

07 Aug 2008 - 12:29:42

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Hibernian boss Mixu Paatelainen has confirmed that midfielder Merouane Zemmama is still a few weeks away from a return to first-team action.

The 24-year-old Moroccan suffered a foot injury towards the end of last season and is not ready for the start of the new campaign this weekend.

Paatelainen told The Scotsman: "He is still a couple of weeks away from being able to return to training, so he will miss the start of the season.

"He has been out now for quite a few months, so he will have to work on his fitness and match sharpness before he can think about coming back into the side.

"It is difficult to set any targets or a specific game that he can aim for, because even after he comes back he will need a week or ten days of real training before he can think about playing again."