Leigh Griffiths is expected to be included in the Hibernian squad to face Dundee United this weekend after the Edinburgh club played down reports of a fight between the striker and the manager, Pat Fenlon.
It was reported yesterday that the 21-year-old had been involved in altercations with Fenlon and his assistant Billy Brown on Tuesday during training. However the former Bohemians manager has refuted claims that the player's loan spell would be cut short and that he would be sent back to his parent club, Wolverhampton Wanderers.
There was an acknowledgement from the Edinburgh club that an incident did take place, but Fenlon described the player's transgression as "typical training-ground stuff". Dismissing reports that he had been head-butted by Griffiths and the striker had thrown a punch at Brown, the Irishman insisted that the Scotland under-21 international remained in his plans.
Fenlon said: "Yesterday was typical training-ground stuff. As is usual for high-tempo training sessions, involving committed players and coaching staff, robust views and opinions are shared, and yesterday's session was no different.
"Leigh is a quality striker, and a lively personality, and will remain a key part of my team for the rest of the season. There's nothing at all in the story. We just want to focus on winning games and getting up the table."
Griffiths has had an eventful spell at Easter Road, having been banned twice this season by the Scottish Football Association for hand gestures aimed at his own supporters. He received a similar sanction for the same offence towards Rangers supporters during a 2-0 defeat in December.
In January, Mick McCarthy, the then Wolves manager, admitted he was actively looking to sell the player in the transfer window. It is unclear whether McCarthy's departure from Molineux will have any impact on whether Griffiths sees out the remaining year of his contract with the Barclays Premier League club.
Yesterday, Griffiths was warned by a former manager that his behaviour could have an injurious effect on his career. Gordon Chisholm, who worked with the player at Dundee, said: You're playing in a profession where people are judging you and you have to grow up quickly and show a discipline. Unless you sort out that out, you will drift down the leagues. Right now it's hard making a living in football and you'll get lost to the game.
"People don't need to take any bad boys anywhere, it does not happen in the game now. It's too competitive and there is too much at stake. People won't take a gamble on him because right away he won't get recommendations."
Chisholm, who was recently made assistant manager at East Fife and played for Hibs during his own career, added: "The boy has to be disciplined, be able to accept criticism. If he's making hand gestures to the crowd, does he know how frustrating it is for supporters to be paying good money to go and watch Hibs? He has to recognise the frustration coming out in supporters."
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