Hughes says best yet to come from Hibs stars

HIBS boss John Hughes today insisted he doesn't envisage making wholesale changes to his Easter Road squad this summer – because he feels the best has yet to come from his players.

Although he admitted he'd like to make "one or two" signings before the start of next season, Hughes declared it was also his job as manager to get the best out of what is already at his disposal.

And, while he agreed there will inevitably be some refreshing of his squad, with the futures of out-of-contract stars such as Abdessalam Benjelloun, Yves Ma-Kalambay and Patrick Cregg still to be decided as has that of the on-loan Alan Gow, Hughes believes there's still plenty of room for improvement within Hibs' ranks.

Revealing a conscious decision had been taken to put contract talks on hold with European football still at stake with only three matches – including today's derby – remaining, Hughes said: "We'll sit down and look at that when the season is finished."

On the possibility of new faces arriving before the start of August, Hughes said: "I still feel this team has a lot of developing to do.

"We are quite a young team, we feel we can get more out of them but we also recognise we've asked some young boys to do a man's job which they have done wonderfully well. All good coaches get the best out of their players, but I'd like to think I could get one or two in to help them. If there are players I feel could enhance the squad perhaps with a bit more experience to help, then I'd try to do it."

Hughes acknowledged, as many have said during the course of this season, that his side does lack a physical presence with too many players sharing a similar stature and physique while some see the acquisition of a right-back and another central defender as desirable. Although he wasn't prepared to speculate on which positions he may strengthen, Hughes said: "We realise we could do with a bit more of a physical presence in the team.

"There will always be comings and goings at a football club and I'm still working on bring a spirit and a culture to this club, moulding them, trying to be winners, having a pride in that green-and-white jersey.

"It doesn't happen overnight, we are still working towards it but I want players who, when they have left this club, feel that this was the best part of their careers."

To that end, Hughes insisted it was just as important any recruits were also "the right characters".

He said: "You could bring in quality but he might be the wrong character, you have to make sure you are absolutely sure of what you are doing and sometimes it's a case of better the devil you know."