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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Robbie Copeland

5 wingers Hibs could target as transfer chase for Martin Boyle replacement heats up

Hibs are bracing for a busy finish to the transfer window as Martin Boyle 's emotional exit sets further wheelings and dealings into motion.

It's been a busy one for Shaun Maloney so far with Norwich defender Rocky Bushiri the latest of four January arrivals.

But there will need to be at least one more after key man Boyle swapped the Scottish Premiership for Saudi Arabia.

Hibs are believed to have banked a tidy £2.5m plus add-ons for the Australia international and a chunk of that may now be spent on replacing his goals and influence.

And while that's easier said than done, there are a number of players Maloney might now be eyeing as his side target a push for Europe in the second half of the season.

Record Sport have run the rule over a few who may be on the agenda.

Regan Charles-Cook

Regan Charles-Cook celebrates his goal against Dundee (SNS Group)

One of the Premiership's standout performers outside of Glasgow's big two this season, Charles-Cook has been one of the driving forces behind Ross County's recent resurgence.

His double in the 5-0 win over Dundee earlier in the season proved to be a real turning point for the Staggies who are now seven points clear of bottom spot.

Charles-Cook's dynamic performances from wide positions have really caught the eye and seven goals in 20 appearances makes for formidable reading.

However he is out of contract at the end of the season and while County will be desperate to keep him, a modest offer could force their hand.

At 24, he fits Maloney's policy of recruiting younger players and he has the added bonus of already proving himself in the Premiership.

Tyreik Wright

Tyreik Wright in action for Salford City (Getty Images)

Ireland youth international Wright is seen as a rising star at Aston Villa, but he turns 21 this year and is yet to make his senior breakthrough.

He still seems miles off in fact and spent the first half of this season on loan at Salford City in League Two.

The evidence suggests Villa will look to move him on sooner rather than later but he has plenty to offer another club. His recent emergence for the Ireland Under-21 side is testament to that and there are high hopes for him in the Emerald Isle.

A move for Wright could have a similar look to the deal that brought Rocky Bushiri to Easter Road - an 18-month loan would offer both clubs and the player some stability and flexibility.

He might not be the instant Boyle replacement the club are looking for but he has plenty of talent and much to prove, and if Hibs can negotiate an option to make a deal permanent then it looks a tempting prospect.

Mikey Johnston

Mikey Johnston is being targeted by Aberdeen, but Hibs could swoop (SNS Group)

Record Sport reported over the weekend that Aberdeen were considering an offer for Johnston and the Dons may still be in the running.

However the arrival of Dutch winger Vicente Besuijen at Pittodrie means a new wide man isn't the priority it once was and that could open the door for Hibs to pounce.

Maloney will be well aware of Johnston's talent having worked with him at Celtic and that's a link he has already utilised to bring in Ewan Henderson.

Any move for Johnston is likely to be an initial loan rather than a permanent deal however that isn't likely to bother Hibs.

Johnston needs first-team football and Celtic may see a move to Hibs as mutually beneficial.

Isaac Mbenza

Mbenza on the ball for Huddersfield (PhotoEye.co.uk)

The enigmatic Mbenza will at least be on Maloney's peripheral radar from his time in the Belgium set-up.

A former Belgian youth international, his once highly-promising career has gone off the rails in recent years following an ill-fated move from Huddersfield to Qatar.

He was released by Qatar SC earlier this month but at just 25, he has plenty of time to get things back on track if he can find a club willing to take a chance on him.

A move to the Premiership looks a tad fanciful given the meteoric wages he will have been earning in the Middle East.

However if Maloney can utilise his Belgian connections and convince him to knuckle down and take the hit, then it may well be worth a punt - even if it is only for six months to put him back in the shop window for an EFL return.

Brandon Barker

Barker could be set for an Ibrox exit (SNS Group)

He might have returned from the cold to start against Stirling Albion but that doesn't seem likely to have saved Barker's Rangers career.

The former Hibee is firmly out of favour at Ibrox and even a change of manager has offered him little hope of a resurgence.

His impact since joining Rangers from Manchester City has been minimal and that Scottish Cup return remains his only appearance of the season.

And with his contract up in the summer, it's likely the Premiership leaders will sign off on any deal that gets a chunk of his wages off the bill until the summer.

He earns more than £10k a week at Ibrox so a permanent move to Hibs this month seems unlikely. But if a loan move that sees Hibs pick up a percentage of his salary can be struck, then a move back to Easter Road doesn't seem impossible.

From Barker's perspective, six months of regular football in an environment he knows could help get his career back on track.

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