GARY DEEGAN, the Hibernian midfielder, has told of his struggle with the physical and emotional aftermath of an altercation that left him with a broken jaw, as he prepares for a possible return to action against Motherwell today.

In his first interview since sustaining the injury, the Irishman spoke of his gratitude to his family, friends and manager, Pat Fenlon, for their support following the incident in an Edinburgh street in October.

Deegan, 25, needed two operations, was restricted to a liquid diet for a month, with his mouth was wired shut, and was confined to his home for a spell.

He said: "This has been the most frustrating injury I have ever had, because it is not football related.

"I was really low because it was taking away what I love doing. I love coming in every day, competing and playing football. I had to wait for six weeks to get back to training.

"My mouth was shut so everything I ate was liquidised, which doesn't taste particularly nice. I just ate soup for four or five weeks. I lost a stone. If I never see another bowl of broccoli soup, it will be too soon. But the manager has been really good, as have my wife, Grace, and my family.

"To be honest, the thing that turned me around was my mother sending me a little 'Don't Quit' card. That has stuck with me and I have it in my car now. It is something I will always have, something to say I've come this far, so I'm not going to quit now."

Deegan added: "The manager has been great. He dropped round a few times. He had to because I wouldn't even answer my phone to him. I just didn't want any contact with anyone early on."

Deegan is in contention to feature in Hibs' 18-man squad for this afternoon's game at Easter Road. "If I am selected, I'll be ready to go," he said. "But even if I am not, I will be there to encourage the lads around the dressing room. I just want to get back to doing what I love and put it all behind me."

Steven Hammell, the Motherwell left-back, meanwhile, fears his side's William Hill Scottish Cup replay defeat to Aberdeen will cost the Lanarkshire club considerably more than merely losing out on a last-16 meeting with today's opponents.

Hammell admits the financial consequences of missing out on a cup run mean it will be more difficult for Stuart McCall to hold on to a number of his top players – including Nicky Law, Darren Randolph and Jamie Murphy – who are out of contract at the end of the season.

"One of the reasons why it was disappointing to go out the cup was because I think this will be the last season this group of players will be together," Hammell said. "It's a strong group, one of the best teams I've played with, and at the end of this season, or maybe sooner, that team might not be together.

"It would have been nice to finish with a trip to Hampden but it wasn't to be. It will be a sad day if we lose a lot of these boys but hopefully we can keep most of the squad together and the manager has brought in some real gems before.

"Hopefully, the boys will not rush into any decisions in January, a lot of the deals usually take place at the last minute. If they can stay at least until the end of the season, that would be a great boost for everyone.

"We've got to put our disappointment behind us now and look to bounce back against Hibs. There are European places up for grabs and we are confident we can show everyone we deserve to be there.'

GARY DEEGAN, the Hibernian midfielder, has told of his struggle with the physical and emotional aftermath of an altercation that left him with a broken jaw, as he prepares for a possible return to action against Motherwell today.

In his first interview since sustaining the injury, the Irishman spoke of his gratitude to his family, friends and manager, Pat Fenlon, for their support following the incident in an Edinburgh street in October.

Deegan, 25, needed two operations, was restricted to a liquid diet for a month, with his mouth was wired shut, and was confined to his home for a spell.

He said: "This has been the most frustrating injury I have ever had, because it is not football related.

"I was really low because it was taking away what I love doing. I love coming in every day, competing and playing football. I had to wait for six weeks to get back to training.

"My mouth was shut so everything I ate was liquidised, which doesn't taste particularly nice. I just ate soup for four or five weeks. I lost a stone. If I never see another bowl of broccoli soup, it will be too soon. But the manager has been really good, as have my wife, Grace, and my family.

"To be honest, the thing that turned me around was my mother sending me a little 'Don't Quit' card. That has stuck with me and I have it in my car now. It is something I will always have, something to say I've come this far, so I'm not going to quit now."

Deegan added: "The manager has been great. He dropped round a few times. He had to because I wouldn't even answer my phone to him. I just didn't want any contact with anyone early on."

Deegan is in contention to feature in Hibs' 18-man squad for this afternoon's game at Easter Road. "If I am selected, I'll be ready to go," he said. "But even if I am not, I will be there to encourage the lads around the dressing room. I just want to get back to doing what I love and put it all behind me."

Steven Hammell, the Motherwell left-back, meanwhile, fears his side's William Hill Scottish Cup replay defeat to Aberdeen will cost the Lanarkshire club considerably more than merely losing out on a last-16 meeting with today's opponents.

Hammell admits the financial consequences of missing out on a cup run mean it will be more difficult for Stuart McCall to hold on to a number of his top players – including Nicky Law, Darren Randolph and Jamie Murphy – who are out of contract at the end of the season.

"One of the reasons why it was disappointing to go out the cup was because I think this will be the last season this group of players will be together," Hammell said. "It's a strong group, one of the best teams I've played with, and at the end of this season, or maybe sooner, that team might not be together.

"It would have been nice to finish with a trip to Hampden but it wasn't to be. It will be a sad day if we lose a lot of these boys but hopefully we can keep most of the squad together and the manager has brought in some real gems before.

"Hopefully, the boys will not rush into any decisions in January, a lot of the deals usually take place at the last minute. If they can stay at least until the end of the season, that would be a great boost for everyone.

"We've got to put our disappointment behind us now and look to bounce back against Hibs. There are European places up for grabs and we are confident we can show everyone we deserve to be there.'