Missing out was hard..I had to force myself into good mood at training ground

Newell opens up on agony of injury fight

- BY DARREN JOHNSTONE

AS Hibs accelerated towards third spot in the Premiership, Joe Newell had to psyche himself up from his car amid his injury torment.

The skipper sat out a stunning end to the season as the Leith outfit broke records and lapped up being serenaded by fans belting out Sunshine on Leith.

A groin injury sustained against Kilmarnock on December 29 seemed like a minor issue at the time.

But a relapse in his recovery saw the 32-year-old miss the rest of the campaign before then undergoing an operation.

Newell also looks set to be unavailable for the Europa League clash with Danish side Midtjylland at the end of July.

And the ex-Peterborough and Rotherham midfielder has refused to sugar-coat the pain he felt as Hibs went on an incredible run from the relegation zone to third.

"I won't lie, it's been really hard," said Newell.

"There were days when I'd arrive at the training ground park my car in the car park and have to force myself to get into a good mood.