Hibs hopeful over Thomson
Former Hibs midfielder Kevin Thomson could have his return to Easter Road sewn up in time to face city rivals Hearts on Sunday, boss Pat Fenlon has revealed.
The Scotland international is a free agent after his release by Middlesbrough and Fenlon now hopes to complete a deal for the player - who had been training with the club - soon so he can include him in his squad for the Clydesdale Bank Premier League derby clash.
Fenlon said: "Kevin has made the decision that he wants to play here until the end of the season.
"That's fantastic and we're delighted. The deal hasn't been done yet and obviously with it being outside the transfer window it takes a bit longer to do than a normal transfer.
"If we can get it done in time for Sunday then great, if not we have got plenty of players. The squad we have got at the moment is fantastic and Kevin will enhance it, I've no doubt."
Tim Clancy could be back in green after recovering from a hamstring tear, but defender Paul Hanlon misses out with a hip injury.
Hearts' defensive concerns have deepened with Darren Barr's one-game ban.
The crisis-hit Jambos - who are without a boss after sacking John McGlynn, while speculation also mounts over the future of club owner Vladimir Romanov - are already missing long-term absentees Danny Grainger (knee), Jamie Hamill (knee) and Marius Zaliukas (ankle) from their back line, while injured midfielders Callum Patterson (foot) and Scott Robinson (knee) both remain sidelined too.
But their is good news for caretaker boss Gary Locke, with Mhedi Taouil expected to recover from a calf strain to play.
Taouil has told Romanov that Locke is the right choice to take over on a permanent basis.
The Moroccan insists the former club captain and current first-team coach has got what it takes to replace McGlynn as the new Tynecastle manager.
The Gorgie club are understood to be considering a number of candidates including former manager and club record scorer John Robertson, one-time Jambos assistant boss Peter Houston and sacked Bristol City manager Derek McInnes.
Taouil, however, has led the calls for the interim boss to keep the job full-time.
He said: "I would like Gary to get the job because I know what Hearts means to him. I know how much of a Hearts man he is and how much he loves the club.
"It would be the perfect job for him. Not only because he is a real Hearts fan, but because he has his badges. He is capable of doing it and knows football really well. He knows Scotland really well.
"So I would say why not Gary? But then it's not me to make the that decision."
Source: PA
