Hibs defender Liam Fontaine facing injury lay-off

Liam Fontaine in action for Hibs (SNS Group)

HIBERNIAN boss Neil Lennon has announced Liam Fontaine will be out for up to three months after requiring surgery on an ankle problem.

The 31-year-old defender picked up the injury playing in a recent under-20s game for the Edinburgh club.

To add to the defensive woes of Northern Irishman Lennon, Fontaine’s fellow centre-back Darren McGregor could be out for up to six weeks after he had an operation on his knee injury.

Ahead of the home Ladbrokes Premiership game against Motherwell on Saturday, Lennon said: “We had a real blow with Liam Fontaine, he had a scan on his ankle and it is a lot worse than we thought.

“It was pretty innocuous in the game he played in but the scan showed the ligament has come away from the bone so he needs surgery.

“It is pretty similar to the injury he had last year so he is going to be out for 10 to 12 weeks.

“Darren (McGregor) had his surgery on Monday so he is four to six weeks hopefully.

“So that is a real blow with Liam but the rest of the squad is healthy. We have good depth in the squad. If Ryan Porteous is called upon he will be ready, I have no qualms about him.

“Efe Ambrose and Paul Hanlon were excellent last week so I’m hoping for more of the same.”

Hibs’ last game at home saw them lose 3-1 to Hamilton – their only defeat ofthe season so far – but Lennon has been encouraged by subsequent 1-1 draws onthe road against Dundee and St Johnstone.

He said: “We have been playing really well. I was delighted with the performances in the last two away games and we were unfortunate not to have won them.

“So if we can replicate that at home we have a very good chance of winning the game.

“However, Motherwell come into the game on the back of three wins which is excellent form.

“They have turned their season around very quickly so the game is a good challenge for us.

“We could and should have more points on the board but it is what it is and if we find the form of the last two games I am pretty sure we will start winning more than losing.”