Hibs signing target Eoin Doyle on mark in trial match

The 23-year-old is a free agent after his contract with Sligo Rovers expired recently, and although reports that he would sign for Hibs yesterday proved premature, he could still agree a deal in time to play at Dundee United on Saturday.

A spokesman for the Easter Road club refused to comment on the potential move other than to say that Doyle would not be signed yesterday, but Sligo spokesman Keith O’Dwyer confirmed that the striker was keen on a move to the SPL. “Pat Fenlon has come in for him and it’s definitely something Eoin is interested in,” O’Dwyer said.

“We’re not 100 per cent sure he is going to sign and we would not give up hope that we can sign Doyle for next year because he is a huge player for us.

“But we are very aware about the interest from Hibs, and as he is not a contracted player he is entitled to seek fresh moves for himself. We used to play him on the wing, but he played up front this year and he was an absolute revelation.”

Doyle, who was on target as a trialist in a Hibs XI’s 3-0 win over a St Johnstone select at East Mains yesterday afternoon, scored 25 times for Rovers in the season just ended, breaking a club record that had stood since 1937. Fenlon has already decided against offering a contract to Rovers’ left-sided defender Iarfhlaith Davoren, who had been on trial at Hibs, but finding a reliable striker is at the top of the manager’s list of priorities.

Hibs have failed to score in their two completed matches since he took over, their only goal having come in the game at Motherwell which was abandoned at half-time. They are now clear of Dunfermline at the bottom of the SPL only on goal difference, and their defensive shortcomings have convinced Fenlon he also needs to strengthen at right-back and centre-half.

Paul Hanlon can play in the latter position but has been used more often at left-back this season, and is the only member of the current back four who seems sure to keep his place. The centre-half pairing of Sean O’Hanlon and David Stephens has not looked like a long-term solution, while Michael Hart is the only specialist right-back at the club - on-loan Richie Towell preferring to play in central midfield.

Hanlon has recently been linked with a move to Fulham, but last night the player said he was thinking only of Hibs’ fight to move clear of the relegation zone. “It is good to be recognised, but nothing has come from it and I’m not expecting anything to happen anytime soon,” he said. “I’m just fully focused on playing well for Hibs and helping the team to push up the league.”

After the weekend game at Tannadice, Hibs face a crunch relegation match at home to Inverness a week today. They then meet Hearts, also at Easter Road, on 2 January.

That Edinburgh derby could be the last outing in a Hibs jersey for Leigh Griffiths, whose loan from Wolves runs out days afterwards. Hibs have said that they are keen to extend Griffiths’ stay or to make it permanent, and that is expected to remain the case even if Doyle signs.

Junior Agogo, however, will be allowed to leave the club, and Akpo Sodje could also be on his way as Fenlon begins to dismantle the squad assembled by previous manager Colin Calderwood. Matt Thornhill is another Calderwood signing who has not made the impact that was hoped for, while another midfielder, Victor Palsson, made a bright start to his time with the club after joining from Liverpool but has since faded badly.