Leigh Griffiths is eager to stick it out at Wolves

Striker Leigh Griffiths is unlikely to return to Hibernian next season after deciding to focus on forcing his way into the Wolverhampton Wanderers team in the final year of his contract at Molineux.

There had been hope that the Scotland under-21 cap would convert his season-long loan stay at Easter Road into a permanent deal. But the 21-year-old will begin pre-season training at Wolves under the watchful eye of new manager Stale Solbakken.

The forward hopes to make a fresh start with his parent club in the Championship following the dugout reshuffle.

Griffiths appeared to be heading for the exit door at the English club when then manager Mick McCarthy said in December last year that he was willing to sell the player that he brought from Dundee on a two-and-a-half year deal in January 2011.

After making just one substitute appearance in a Carling Cup win at Northampton at the beginning of last season, Griffiths was farmed out to boyhood heroes Hibs on an initial six-month loan deal.

That was extended to the end of the season at the turn of the year. The striker netted 11 goals in 36 appearances for the Leith club, including the winning strike in the Scottish Cup semi-final victory over Aberdeen. Griffiths’ time at Easter Road will also be remembered for him receiving three separate bans for gesturing at supporters.