NEIL LENNON has revealed Hibs’ Scotland international midfielder John McGinn may require an operation on an ankle injury.
The 21-year-old has been troubled by a piece of loose bone, but it hasn’t prevented the player from performing for both club and country.
Gordon Strachan named him in the squad for the World Cup qualifier against England at Wembley a week tonight.
Lennon, though, warned it is a condition which is likely to get worse rather than improve although it’s manageable at the moment. The Easter Road gaffer said: “There have been some games this season when John has been fantastic for us. He was outstanding at Dunfermline and played really well, really strongly.
“He was probably the best player on the pitch against St Mirren last Saturday before he had to come off with a knee injury.
“I do think, though, the ankle niggle is gnawing away at him and is progressively getting worse. We are able to manage him at the minute, but he is probably playing and functioning when he is not 100 per cent fit and that is credit to him.
“It’s holding him back a tiny bit, but it’s not stopping him from playing. We will get it looked at in the future, but we have not come to that point yet.”
McGinn is likely to be in place tomorrow when Lennon’s men take on Ayr United, the only side to have beaten Hibs in the Championship in this campaign.
The Irishman is looking forward to Somerset Park clash and added: “Ayr have had a good season so far and have done very well considering they have just come up.
“They’ve had some good results, but we just have to focus on trying to maintain the levels we have shown in the last two games.
“We were outstanding in them which brings a lot of confidence, but away from home it is never easy in this division.”
