Cillian Sheridan returns to Sofia with no Hibs deal

HIBS appear to have missed out on the signing of Cillian Sheridan with the striker due to return to Bulgaria today following a trial period at the Leith club.

Although Saturday's clash with Championship side Barnsley was postponed due to a water-logged pitch at Easter Road, the game went ahead behind closed-doors at Hibs' East Mains training complex and CSKA Sofia marksman Sheridan played in the 1-0 loss.

Former Celtic and Motherwell winger Jim O'Brien scored the only goal of the game with a well-executed free-kick.

Hibs manager Colin Calderwood is keen to sign the former Celtic player after a knee injury to Akpo Sodje left him with only one fit striker in Garry O'Connor ahead of the SPL kick-off against Celtic on Sunday.

However, Sheridan, who scored in last week's win at East Fife, is returning to his parent club after no agreement was struck with Hibs.

The immediate future of former Nottingham Forest striker Junior Agogo remains unclear after the Ghanian internationalist was also due to feature on trial against Barnsley at Easter Road.

Calderwood is short in attack following the summer exits of Derek Riordan, Colin Nish, Darryl Duffy and Valdas Trakys and has prioritised bolstering his forward options.

He said: "We do need to strengthen in that department and we know that.

"We've lost goals in Riordan and to a certain extent John Rankin so there is a big gap to be filled but we'll have people trying to do that."

Hibs continue their preparation for the new campaign with a friendly against Falkirk tomorrow night although it's unclear if Agogo's trial will be extended for that clash.