Hibernian: Ross Laidlaw surgery leaves Neil Lennon looking for keeper

Ross Laidlaw has missed Hibs' last six games after landing awkwardly on his shoulder

Hibernian head coach Neil Lennon will look to sign a new goalkeeper in January after confirming Ross Laidlaw faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Laidlaw has undergone surgery for a shoulder problem, leaving Ofir Marciano as Hibs' only front-line keeper.

Lennon currently only has 19-year-old Pole Kevin Dabrowski, a development team goalkeeper, as cover.

"Ross has had surgery so he is going to be out for quite a considerable period of time," Lennon said.

"So that is an area we will look to in January."

Laidlaw, 25, has missed Hibs' last six matches after landing awkwardly on his shoulder in training before last month's home defeat by St Johnstone.

Hibs have been linked with out-of-favour Dundee keeper Scott Bain, with first-choice Marciano receiving criticism for some recent lapses.

But otherwise Lennon is not anticipating major surgery to his squad during the January window.

"I am really happy with the quality we have got in the squad," he said. "We may look to add to that in January if there is a viable possibility to do that.

"We are always looking for someone who will make us better."

'We have exceeded expectations'

Despite only one win from their past six matches, Hibs remain fourth in the Premiership and Lennon believes they are ahead of schedule on their return to the top flight.

Three games in six days against the league's top three saw them draw 2-2 with champions Celtic, lose a game they dominated, 2-1, to Rangers, before capitulating 4-1 at Aberdeen last Saturday.

"We have played really well and surprised ourselves at times, and surprised other teams as well," Lennon said. "So I would say we have exceeded expectations so far.

"We have been excellent away from home; that [4-1 loss at Aberdeen] was our first away defeat in nine months.

"Our home form has been a bit patchy but we are still very much a work in progress.

"But they have earned the right to be here after three years in the Championship and I think they are enjoying playing against the best teams.

"We have had a really good year, and are having a really good season. So it is important we finish the year on a high if we can because it has been excellent."

Hibs host Ross County on Saturday, aiming to at least maintain the three-point gap to city rivals Hearts before they meet at Tynecastle on 27 December.

"It is important we try to get back to winning ways," Lennon added. "If we can match the level of performance we have shown in 95% of the games, we will be fine."