Hibs set to renew interest in Preston defender Michael Hart

• Preston's Michael Hart in action against Chelsea in the FA Cup last season

The 30-year-old came close to moving to Edinburgh on loan in the January transfer window, having fallen out of favour under then Deepdale boss Alan Irvine.

But the sacking of Irvine and the arrival of Darren Ferguson saw a dramatic up-turn in the former Aberdeen and Livingston star's fortunes as he won a recall for Preston's FA Cup clash with eventual winners and Premier League champions Chelsea.

However, Ferguson revealed at the end of the season that Hart was one of several players on the transfer list and for whom he'd be willing to listen to offers.

That won't have escaped the attention of Hughes who, while refusing to comment on speculation over possible signings, did confirm the right back had been on his radar a few months ago.

Much, of course, would depend on the sort of money Preston are anticipating, with Hibs reluctant to pay transfer fees unless absolutely necessary, preferring to invest in players' salaries.

But, with the Lancashire club having been served with a winding-up order by HMRC last week, the prospect of simply getting a player off their wage bill could well appeal.

Hughes has made no secret of the fact that he's looking to add both physical presence and experience to his squad, and Hart would tick both boxes, the player obviously no stranger to the SPL thanks to his two spells with the Dons and three years at Livingston during which he helped the West Lothian club to third place in the table.

It's also common knowledge that the right-back berth has been a problem area over the past season, with David Wotherspoon, Steven Thicot and Darren McCormack all pressed into playing in an alien position, with Kevin McCann having spent all but the opening day of the season plagued by injury.