Hibs could see their resolve tested on transfer deadline day after booting out Wigan bids for Kevin Nisbet and Josh Campbell.
Former Easter Road manager Shaun Maloney recently took over at the Championship club after Kolo Toure was sacked last week.
And he quickly identified the Hibs pair as possible targets for a late transfer swoop.
Maloney worked with both Nisbet and Campbell in Edinburgh and remains an admirer of the pair.
But, it's thought a bid from Wigan for the duo has been knocked back by Hibs having failed to meet the valuation for either player.
It remains to be seen, however, whether Hibs will face a late flurry of bids for the talented pair before the window slams shut.
Nisbet, 25, only last week turned down a move to Millwall - in the region of £2million - to remain a Hibs player.
The clubs had agreed a fee for the in-form striker but Nisbet pulled out about the deal with concerns over the timing of the transfer switch.
A statement from Nisebt's reps Quanic Sports, read: “Kevin has thought long and hard about moving right now, but was uncertain about the timing.
“His focus remains on Hibs for the time being.”
It comes after Hibs landed CJ Egan-Riley on loan from Burnley on Monday.
The defender - who is comfortable in the centre or at right back and in holding midfield - joins the club until the end of the season.
Lee Johnson commented: “CJ is a top young talent, and we can’t wait to start working with him.
“He’s a player that Vincent Kompany took to Burnley after knowing his qualities from the Manchester City set-up.
“Due to Burnley’s positive form and performances this season, they have allowed him out to get important game-time, and as soon as we knew he was available, we were quick to snap up the opportunity.
“He provides us with extra versatility playing as a centre-half, number six, and as a right-back. We see this as an opportunity to help us improve, but also as a huge opportunity for him to develop.”
At The Herald and Times we know the importance of reaching you where it's convenient, which is why we've engaged top sportswriter James Morgan to bring you an irreverent daily update on what's happening in the world of sport. Be it football, golf, rugby, cricket or something more exotic, James will tread where the best stories take him. To get this exclusive bespoke piece sent directly to your email inbox for free every day at 5pm, simply take a few seconds to type in your email here. It's that simple!
