Stokes remains in Hughes' plans

John Hughes has insisted he is preparing for Hibernian's match at St Mirren on Sunday with Celtic transfer target Anthony Stokes in his team. The 22-year-old has emerged as a possible signing for Hoops manager Neil Lennon after finishing last season as the SPL's second-top scorer behind Rangers' Kris Boyd.The Republic of Ireland international came close to a move to Parkhead in 2007 when he was leaving Arsenal but chose to join Sunderland instead.However, reports have suggested the Old Firm outfit are ready to step up their long-standing pursuit of the marksman ahead of Tuesday's transfer deadline.Hughes, who signed Stokes from Sunderland on a three-year deal last summer, confirmed he was aware of Celtic's interest in the Irishman, who he also had as a loan player at Falkirk four years ago.However, the Easter Road boss is ploughing on with plans for his team's trip to face St Mirren assuming Stokes will remain a Hibs player.He said: "We can definitely prepare for Sunday's game with Anthony in the team. He was in at training on Friday and he was 100 per cent focused and ready to go for Sunday's match."I'm serious about this, all I know is there has been an interest. But at this moment in time I am just telling him to keep his focus on Sunday."I told him to make sure he was mentally prepared and ready to go, but if he plays the way he trained on Friday morning then I've not got a problem."I need him on Sunday. He's got goals in him and I need him."Hughes himself received the call from Celtic as a player but refused to be drawn into whether Stokes would be able to pass up the opportunity to join the Glasgow giants, insisting he views his own club as an attractive one.He added: "It's up to the individual and it depends on the circumstances and where you are, but this is a wonderful club as well, with a fantastic infrastructure, a fantastic playing surface and it's a club I think is going places."I want guys of the calibre of Anthony Stokes playing for Hibs and scoring goals."Hibs opened the season with a 3-2 win away to Motherwell but followed that up with last weekend's 3-0 home defeat to champions Rangers as the club opened their new east stand.However, Hughes is desperate to see his team recover from that disappointment as they bid to emulate the fourth-place finish they achieved last term.He commented: "The focus on Sunday has to be to get back to winning ways, if we want to be successful and try and do what we did last year."The problem is expectations, having got that fourth spot and scored a lot of goals and played some nice football."We've come back this year and the board of directors have worked very hard to build this fantastic stadium, and it just brings expectations."But it's my job to make sure we go and play to that."

Source: Team_Talk