Demetri Mitchell looks set to join the January exodus from Hibs after just 10 appearances - if the club can recoup at least part of the fee they laid out for the former Manchester United youngster a year ago.
The wing-back, who had two spells on loan at Hearts earlier in his career, was one of Shaun Maloney’s big signings last January from Blackpool. But he has fallen out of favour with Lee Johnson during an injury hit campaign which has seen him make only three appearances. Mitchell has 18 months left to run on his contract but hasn’t featured since limping off in the first half of November’s 2-0 defeat to Ross County.
And Johnson, who laid into his squad after Monday’s 3-0 derby loss to Hearts blasting that he was “sick of the mediocrity”, is keen to move the Englishman on as part of a clear out although Hibs won't let the 25-year-old leave for nothing.
Johnson admitted he would rather move on 10 fringe players from his bloated squad and replace them with one quality addition in January.
Steven Bradley has already left to sign for Livingston while Joao Balde has moved to Arbroath. An offer has been accepted for Jake Doyle-Hayes from Forest Green Rovers although there’s understood to be interest from Italy too.
Flop frontman Momodou Bojang is heading back to Gambia with his season-long loan deal from Rainbow FC in the process of being cut short. And a number of other Easter Road first team members will be looking over their shoulders in the coming days and weeks although Record Sport understands Johnson is keen to keep hold of summer signings Marijan Cabraja and Lewis Miller despite reports to the contrary.
Whether Ryan Porteous plays for his boyhood club again remains to be seen. The defender was suspended for Monday’s trip to Tynecastle and has a list of suitors. An offer from Serie A club Udinese has already failed to meet Hibs’ valuation for the soon to be out of contract star.
The ball is now back in Udinese’s court although Porteous has interest south of the border with Stoke, Watford, Millwall, Sunderland and Hull City all interested.
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