Captain Jones fit to salvage Hibs' hopes in Intertoto Cup

HIBERNIAN captain Rob Jones last night declared himself fit to try and inspire a stunning Intertoto Cup comeback in Sweden this weekend.

The 28-year-old was forced off at half-time during Sunday's 2-0 first-leg defeat to high-flying IF Elfsborg at Easter Road.

After a disappointing 90 minutes when Mixu Paatelainen's men were distinctly second best, an injury to their skipper only added to the despondency.

But Jones lifted spirits yesterday by coming through training before watching some of his colleagues take part in a closed-door game against St Johnstone at their East Mains training base near Tranent.

Hibs travel to the Boras Arena for the return leg knowing a Scottish team has never come back from a home-leg deficit in European competition.

Magnus Haglund's side are also in fine form and were bidding to improve on one defeat in their opening 12 league outings against Gefle in the Allsvenskan last night.

But former Grimsby player Jones is hopeful Hibs will be more up to speed in Scandinavia with another week's training under their belts.

He said: "I trained yesterday morning and I'm fine. I came through okay during the session, so I'll be declaring myself fit, which is good.

"I just damaged the capsule on the top of the ankle which made it a little bit sore, but it wasn't too big a worry and seems okay after yesterday.

"I know the manager is to make some changes in Sweden, but I hope I'm not one of them. We face a tough task but the less injury worries we have the better.

"Elfsborg have been on a great run in Sweden and we're a little short of fitness, but we'll have a further week's training behind us when we play them on Saturday so hopefully that can help our cause."

Meanwhile, Easter Road forward Abdessalam Benjelloun – who was rested for the Intertoto Cup first leg on Sunday – was last night urged to join Anderlecht by the Belgian side's top player.

The Brussels club are believed to be eager to sign the Morocco international striker, 23, to cover for their injured Argentine forward Nicolas Frutos.

Benjelloun has been quoted in Moroccan media, saying: "I have other options, but I want to join Anderlecht."

Now his compatriot and Anderlecht frontman Mbark Boussoufa has advised

Benjelloun of the benefits of swapping the SPL for the Jupiler League.

Boussoufa recently signed a new deal with Anderlecht worth £1.2million a season, making himself the best-paid player in Belgium.

The former Chelsea player said: "I have spoken about Anderlecht with Benjelloun, and he is very interested in the possibility of a transfer to them. He told me that he would love the chance to play in the Champions League for them.

"I have also discussed the topic of him joining with Anderlecht's general manager, Herman van Holsbeeck. I don't yet know whether he will sign, but a good player like him is always welcome."

Although Hibs may eventually lose Benjelloun they received a boost yesterday with the news that Uruguayan midfielder Fabian Yantorno should be fit in time for the SPL kick-off next month.

The 25-year-old has agreed terms at Easter Road but that was conditional on him proving he had fully recovered from an horrific knee injury he suffered playing for his former club, Gretna, against Falkirk in January.

"I'm now only two weeks away from doing normal training with the rest of the players," he said.

"What I haven't had so far is contact with other players but I should be ready for that by the end of next week.

"Assuming there are no further problems, I should be available for our opening (Premier League] game at Kilmarnock on 9 August."