Adams Posted August 2, 2006 Report Share Posted August 2, 2006 Everton defender Tony Hibbert has emerged as a fitness worry ahead of the new Premiership season. The 25-year-old right-back has been suffering from an illness throught the Toffees tour to the United States, and the club's medical staff are unsure what the exact problem is. Everton manager David Moyes has admitted he is worried about the fitness of the defender, who may not feature in the season opener against Watford on August 19. "He is not too good," said Moyes. "We've hardly seen him since we've been out here and has been in his bed for the past three or four days with sickness and has been really under the weather. "He's had a stop-start pre-season and has missed an awful lot of training. He played a couple of games but this has set him back a bit. "I don't know how long this is going to keep him out. I would not say that we are desperately short at right-back because we have Phil Neville and Sandro Pistone who can play there," he added. "But I just hope that Hibbo can get sorted and that he will be better soon." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebluenose Posted August 2, 2006 Report Share Posted August 2, 2006 i hope hes ok. hes had a bad time what with hernia. hopefully he can get better Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoldfishMemory Posted August 2, 2006 Report Share Posted August 2, 2006 I think he will be ok for the start of the season its just his overall fitness thats a worry, they say you never quite catch up if you miss pre-season! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romey 1878 Posted August 2, 2006 Report Share Posted August 2, 2006 Do we have a proper right back who can replace him? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adams Posted August 2, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 2, 2006 Dnt think so, Neville might have to play there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebluenose Posted August 2, 2006 Report Share Posted August 2, 2006 looks like neville is our man. he can do a job which is all we can ask for Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romey 1878 Posted August 2, 2006 Report Share Posted August 2, 2006 We should be thinking of buying a right back then if Neville is our only cover in that postition, after all he may be needed in another position and not available for right back Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adams Posted August 2, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 2, 2006 We need a LM before we get any1 in at RB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romey 1878 Posted August 2, 2006 Report Share Posted August 2, 2006 Depends how you look at it really. Id rather have the defence sorted first IMO, that way we will be better equipped to stop goals going in and have a chance of nicking one then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rowlo-efc Posted August 2, 2006 Report Share Posted August 2, 2006 Do we have a proper right back who can replace him? 42925[/snapback] Neville is a good RB and would get forward more than Hibbert (tackling aint as good). Pistone (the leg end) can also play RB. (if we are REALLY desparate - like, after Moyes had asked all the fans and RS fans first!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mac Posted August 2, 2006 Report Share Posted August 2, 2006 Hibbo is a tough lad, and from what I can see it seems to be an unidentified illness as opposed to an injury, hope the kid gets well soon, although we could probably do with some cover at RB. ATB Mac Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scouse Posted August 2, 2006 Report Share Posted August 2, 2006 Yobo can also play RB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebluenose Posted August 2, 2006 Report Share Posted August 2, 2006 aye he can but tbh he isnt really good there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
java2001e Posted August 3, 2006 Report Share Posted August 3, 2006 hibbo's important to the defense. not a lot gets past him. he had a hernia op at the end of last season and maybe he didnt take enough time to get over it. anyway it looks like he may miss the season opener and maybe more, but if it helps get him back to 100% fitness, it'll be worth it in the long run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest fozzie22 Posted August 5, 2006 Report Share Posted August 5, 2006 I'm more worried that hibbo is a bit of a donkey tbh,not his fitness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevO Posted August 5, 2006 Report Share Posted August 5, 2006 maybe hes not ill at all, just learning to cross a ball, or at least he should be Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Droobie Posted August 5, 2006 Report Share Posted August 5, 2006 aye he can but tbh he isnt really good there. 43062[/snapback] True... he likes to play around instead of booting it out.... plus he's not that much of a run down the line and cross sorta player. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Posted August 6, 2006 Report Share Posted August 6, 2006 Pistone & Phill, even Joey are the obv cover. A position Ive circled a lil while ago that we could well do with a bit of stiffening up of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adams Posted August 6, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2006 Everton legend Howard Kendall believes David Moyes should resist switching Phil Neville to right-back for the new Premiership campaign. First-choice right-back Tony Hibbert returned to full pre-season training late because of his recovery from a hernia operation and was sidelined by illness during the recent tour of the United States. Neville is the likely candidate to fill-in for Hibbert if the defender is not fully fit for the start of the new season. But Kendall would prefer to see Neville remaining in the holding midfield role. He said: "Tony Hibbert's lack of involvement during pre-season has raised questions whether he will be available for the opening day and is sure to cause David Moyes a number of selection posers. "Personally, I think it would be a waste if Neville is given that position. He was bought to play as a central midfielder and that is where he is seen to best effect, even though he has the ability to play in a number of different roles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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