Martin Boyle is awaiting scan results that will determine or not whether the Hibs winger's World Cup dream is still alive.
The 29-year-old is almost a certainty to be picked in Graham Arnold's squad for the major tournament that kicks off later this month in Qatar. But there was a worrying moment during Saturday's 3-0 Premiership win over St Mirren, as Boyle was taken off with a suspected knee injury following a penalty which opened the scoring.
His knee is badly bruised according to The Scotsman and the Hibs talisman had a scan on his damaged leg on Tuesday morning with 'the results are expected back on Wednesday.' According to sources at Hibs, the most recent assumption is that he 'has nicked his meniscus and while that would eventually require a tidy-up operation, everyone concerned at club and international level is clinging to the hope that he may still be able to play for Australia at the World Cup. '
READ MORE: Hibs find a new talisman in St Mirren win but concerns arise over Boyle - 3 things we learned
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Manager Lee Johnson said post-match against the Buddies of Boyle's injury: “I’m praying it’s not too bad. We’re hoping the pain was contact to the nerve, because it went numb.
"That was what ended in him coming off, but I’m lighting a candle for him hoping he’s alright. It’s going to be difficult psychologically for him.
"But I have to say his professionalism has been outstanding, he has never shirked anything in training or games. That’s why he deserves to go to the World Cup, for that consistency.”
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