Hibs boss won't be rushed into making new signings

Hibs boss Colin Calderwood today insisted he won't be rushed into making hasty signings as he continues his search for fresh talent to bring to Easter Road.

With the January transfer window open and Ivory Coast defender Sol Bamba having departed in a reported 250,000 deal to Leicester City, Calderwood is well aware supporters, fretting at the club's lowly position in the SPL table, are anxiously awaiting his first movement into the market.

But while revealing he's working towards bringing in new faces – Calderwood and his backroom staff taking advantage of a full English fixture programme on Monday to run further checks over possible targets – the Hibs manager is intent on ensuring whoever may be signed fits the bill.

Pointing out it's unusual to find players out of contract at this stage of the season, Calderwood said: "There are certain people I like and believe would be helpful but I have to be certain in my own mind it will be a useful addition. I think there's been some shrewd business in the past, the record of people we have brought in at Easter Road has been very good and we want that to continue."

Fans will be wanting to know, of course, if Calderwood will be receiving any of the money received for the transfer of Bamba.

The manager, however, is well aware any possible signings will have to be made within a budget.

He said: "When I have a proposal to make to the chairman (Rod Petrie] then a decision has to be made.

"Once I am secure in my own mind it's the right one then we have a strategy but I have not got to that point yet."

Although he'd obviously like to add to his squad in the coming few weeks, Calderwood claimed it had already been strengthened with the return to action of long-term injury victims Merouane Zemmama and Darryl Duffy, likening them to being new signings given that until last week they hadn't featured this season.

He said: "Everyone can see the terrific qualities the two of them have. They aren't new players, but they haven't been utilised at all."