Deek set for some Oxford culture
O'Neil - I'd still like to remain at Easter Road

DEREK TOWNSLEY LOOKS SET to head south, turning his back on interest from Aberdeen and Falkirk to try his luck in the Nationwide League 3rd Division with Oxford United.  It will come as a surprise to most that 30-year-old Townsley is prepared to drop down the leagues, with the Dons showing some definite interest while Falkirk boss John Hughes has already made an offer to the former Motherwell player whom many believe was rightly hard done by in not being offered a new deal at Easter Road.  Townsley had been verbally assured of a 2-year extension back in January, but that was later withdrawn and the player who turned out in just about every position for the club bar goalkeeper was eventually told there would be no new deal just before the season ended.

Townsley has had talks with Oxford and the only stumbling block appears to be length of contract, with a one-year deal being offered and the player preferring the security of a two-year contract if he is expected to move his family so far south.  Talking about his future last night, Townsley said: "Oxford have made me a very good offer and everything should be signed and sealed next week, after I went down and spoke to their manager earlier this week. I have been very impressed with their whole set-up there, Falkirk also made me an offer and Aberdeen were also very keen, but I decided after four seasons in the Premier League I wanted to try something different.  I know I am dropping down to the third division, but Oxford are a very ambitious side. They have just moved to a new stadium, only just missed out on the play-offs last season and are determined to gain promotion next season.  That was the main reason why I agreed to the move."

Derek Townsley - Oxford United bound (sns)

With nine goals from just 22 starts at Easter Road, few can argue that Hibs did not get the maximum value from Townsley in his two years at Easter Road, and everyone at Hibs.net would like to wish the big man all the best at his new club.  While Townsley is set for English football, another regular from the Hibs first team who will be playing in the south again next season is Craig James.  The defender, who was on loan at Easter Road from Sunderland, has been told that he has a future with the English side with boss Mick McCarthy saying: "Craig James came back into training after the end of his loan in Scotland and I liked him a lot.  I'd already heard good reports about him from somebody who watched him at Hibs. So he's coming back and he's going to be part of it. He's one of the squad for next season and he's already been told that. To me, he looks like being a good player."  James did not please everyone at Easter Road but it seems the former Ireland boss has bigger plans for the youngster than many Hibs fans believed possible.

And in a hat-trick of good news stories for members of last years Easter Road squad, Tony Caig has had an offer of a new deal confirmed by Newcastle United, the goalkeeper who quit Hibs in January expected to sign a new two-year deal this week.  Hibs fans meanwhile are still waiting on transfer news on the home front, with only speculation to go on regarding Scott Booth in particular, with Bobby Williamson reported to have spoken to the former Aberdeen striker who has now moved his family back to Scotland, while there is further speculation that Freddie Dindeleux is another Williamson target.  On the downside rumour of a move by Southampton for Ian Murray refuses to go away.  Hibs meanwhile have added another pre-season friendly against English opposition, according to the Carlisle official web site the club are to play at Brunton Park on 22 July.

Back on the transfer front it has been revealed today that Paul Fenwick has been added to the list of Easter Road players told their services may no longer be required.  Fenwick only signed a two-year extension to his deal last summer, however Bobby Williamson has told the Canadian that he will be dropping down the pecking order next season and will be allowed to leave if he can find another club.  Managing director Rod Petrie admitted: "I believe that the manager had a conversation with Paul about football matters for next season.  He wants to bring in other players and, naturally, that would put Paul down the queue."  Fenwick has been told that he will be permitted to play in the Gold Cup tournament this summer, which will likely mean his missing much of Hibs pre-season preparations.  And another player who is hoping to still be with the club then is John O'Neil.  The club skipper was the first to break ranks towards the end of last season over player moves, having been told that the club could not afford his appearance money quoted as high as £5,000 a game.  However O'Neil insists that he would rather remain at Easter Road and hopes to have talks with Williamson on his return from holiday later this month.

O'Neil said: "I have not ruled myself out of still being with Hibs next season.  I would like to talk to the manager when he returns form holiday, I would obviously have to consider a move if the manager is basically ruling me out of next season, but if there is a chance I could still be involved that is something I would look at because Hibs are a great club."  Rotherham are credited with keeping an eye on O'Neil's situation.