Fab has plenty in reserves

Sep 21 2008

FABIAN YANTORNO last night agreed with Hibs gaffer Mixu Paatelainen that he needs to be shielded from first-team football - but believes he is close to being the player he once was.

The Uruguayan battled back from cruciate ligament injury sustained at former club Gretna to earn a two-year deal at Hibs in the summer.

But after making his competitive bow in Hibernian's opening day SPL defeat at Kilmarnock, Yantorno, 26, has failed to feature - even on the bench - over the past few weeks.

Around a fortnight ago he was put on an intensive personal training programme and now Yantonro feels he is close to being his old self.

He said: "I started special work over two weeks ago.

"I spoke to the manager as I didn't do a full pre-season and needed to do special work away from the guys.

"I'm not 100 per cent but if I want to be the player I was before the injury then I will have to work harder and train more than the other lads."