HIBS have put Grant Brebner and Derek Townsley on stand-by for Thursday's UEFA Cup clash against AEK Athens, with key man Matthias Jack facing a race against time to be fit.

The 32-year-old former Fortuna Dusseldorf anchor man received a painful foot injury in the dying minutes of Sunday's emphatic 5-1 defeat of Dunfermline, and he may now be a major doubt for this week's rescheduled European match in the Greek capital.

Jack was also booked by

referee Hugh Dallas for protesting about the incident, which saw him take studs on the top of his foot. As well as facing a sweat over Jack's fitness, manager Alex McLeish also claimed yesterday he feels the German has been unfairly treated from officials this term because of his tenacity.

More disciplinary points on the domestic front could see the midfielder facing an imminent SPL suspension.

However, McLeish believes the aggressive ball-winner has a justifiable right to feel hard done by. He said: ''We will have to wait and see how Matt is this week. We are playing a waiting game over his fitness. Hopefully, he will be okay because he has been fantastic for us in the last two or three games. He was all over the park against Dunfermline.

''He took a fair whack on the foot and we will see how he recovers. But we do have Brebner and Townsley who can come into that position.''

Talking about the treatment dished out to Jack this term by officials, McLeish added: ''Matt was a bit aggrieved about the tackle because he made it a 50-50 with his determination.

''He needs to be careful because he was booked for giving Hugh Dallas a verbal blast. He needs to curb his tongue because we don't want to lose him through suspension because of speaking out, more because of his tenacious tackling.

''I feel he has been unfairly treated at times because he has calmed that side of his game this season and is not mouthing off as much.

''The week before, he made a surging run against Motherwell and was brought down in the box, but referee Stuart Dougal booked him. Video evidence clearly shows he was tripped, however, and Matt ends up getting booked. It is a bit harsh.''

AEK enjoyed a 2-1 win at the weekend as they honed their preparations for the clash with Hibs. However, McLeish feels adequate knowledge has been gleaned on Fernando Santos' side, who have not started their domestic campaign yet.

He said: ''We have been to three games and have watched videos, and we are totally up to speed as to how they will line up.''

Former PSG defender Eric Rabesantratana is out of the first leg showdown in the Nikos Goumas Stadium.

Injury-victim Rabesantratana will not be risked by Santos, but could be ready for the second leg at Easter Road.

Santos already has to do without crocked duo Vassilis Lakis and Michael Kapsis.

Greek international wing-back Lakis has a muscle problem, while Kapsis is absent after undergoing surgery to remove a damaged knee cartilage.

However, there was some good news for Santos when first-choice keeper Elias Atmatsidis declared himself fit.

Experienced Atmatsidis sustained a shoulder injury two weeks ago,but has recovered to take his place against the in-form Hibs attack of Craig Brewster, Tam McManus, and Francesco Luna, who scored all the goals against Dunfermline.

A specially chartered flight will take around 160 fans to Athens on Thursday after they took up the offer of a subsidised deal from the club, following the late cancellation of last week's tie by UEFA.