Hibs boss keen on Gow return

Gow, 27, who was freed by Plymouth Argyle last week, spent the final few months of last season on loan with Hibs and has made it clear that he is keen on making a permanent switch to Easter Road but no talks have taken place yet.

Hibs have brought in three new players this summer, Edwin de Graaf, Michael Hart and David Stephens, and are in the process of redeveloping their East Stand to take the stadium's capacity to over 20,000.

That financial outlay could mean Hughes has to sell before he can buy again and the Hibs manager, who was speaking after last night's 4-0 friendly win over Queen of the South at Palmerston, conceded: "I would love to get Alan back but no talks have taken place.

"There has been a lot of work going on at the stadium and it may mean I have to shuffle the pack a bit to try and bring in Alan or anyone else."

Meanwhile, Hughes admitted that he has been delighted by the progress of his players in their two weeks back in pre-season training and singled out Anthony Stokes for praise.

The Irishman, who looked sharp in the friendly against Dunfermline, was left out of last night's squad after picking up a knock against the Pars.

Hughes made a number of changes for the trip to Dumfries last night but added of his hitman: "Stokesy is still carrying a wee knock so we rested him. But he has been working really hard and I have been really impressed with the shape that he has come back in, he's looking sharp."