James McPake set for Coventry talks as Hibs wait in wings

DEFENDER James McPake, who spent much of last season on loan at Hibs, is to thrash out his long-term future in talks with parent club Coventry City.

With McPake’s influential presence at the back having helped Hibs to stave off relegation from the SPL, the Easter Road club are keen to lure him back to Edinburgh on a permanent basis in a reported £100,000 deal.

McPake, 27, is expected at relegated Coventry for pre-season training on 1 July. But Coventry’s development director Steve Waggott has revealed that talks will take place shortly with McPake to discuss his future.

McPake has a year left on his Coventry contract and Waggott said: “James is our player and he returns to us on 1 July.

“Scottish football can’t offer the most attractive of packages.

“But it is something that will be discussed over the next two or three weeks with the player and his agent.”

McPake, who is in the Northern Ireland squad for next month’s friendly against Holland, has an open mind on his future and as things stand he expects to return to Coventry.

He said: “That is where I will be on 1 July. I am determined to have a future with them because they are my parent club and I have no other option but to go back to them – and I don’t mean that in a bad way.

“Things do change in football but, at the moment, I’m not out looking for it or begging Hibs to try and buy me.”

McPake scored Hibs’ only goal in their 5-1 Scottish Cup final defeat by Hearts and his signing would be a popular move with the club’s support.