Hibs trial Chelsea keeper

Young Chelsea keeper Yves Makabu-Makalambay has been handed a trial at Hibs after failing to force his way into the first-team plans at Stamford Bridge despite the London club’s well-documented injury problems.

When Petr Cech and Carlo Cudicini sustained injuries, Makabu-Makalambay and Henrique Hilario were vying for the keeper’s jersey. He was even named on the bench for Chelsea’s Champions League clash against Barcelona.

However, the 20-year-old Belgian keeper, who was previously on the books of PSV Eindhoven, received a metaphorical boot to the groin when Chelsea brought in the previously-retired Magnus Hedman as cover, leaving him as fifth-choice.

Standing at 6ft5in, Makabu-Makalambay is under contract with Chelsea until 2009 and his name was passed on to Hibs boss John Collins by one of his contacts south of the border.

Worth a trial, perhaps, but can he really compete for the number one shirt at Easter Road?

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