NICK COLGAN ADMITTED LAST NIGHT that he is actively seeking a new club, the Republic of Ireland international having been told by the club that he is one of the high-earners at Easter Road the club need to remove from the wage bill.  Colgan returned from international duty, on the bench in Ireland's 1-0 win over Norway, and became the third under-contract player to admit that he had been told by the club that they simply could not afford his current wage, and that he would be free to move on if he could find another club.

John O'Neil revealed earlier this week that he and Frederic Arpinon had been told they would have no further role to play at Easter Road, and following pressure from fans the club issued a statement yesterday morning revealing that Colgan, Grant Brebner and Jarkko Wiss had also been given the same news from the club, while out of contract Derek Townsley had also been told he would not be offered a new deal.  Craig James has already returning to Sunderland after a one-year loan and will not be returning to the club, and of the remaining seven players only Gary Smith has so far been offered a new deal.  Colgan appears to have accepted his fate and is actively seeking a new club, the goalkeeper saying last night: "The club has made no secret of the fact they need to make funds available by getting players off the wage bill.  I have never asked to leave the club because I am happy here and I have never asked for a transfer.  But I am open to any offers and if something was to come up that would appeal to me I would be interested.  All clubs are cutting back at the moment and Hibs are clearly no different."

Three timer for Brebner - now his future at Easter Road is in doubt (sns)

The departure of Colgan could leave the door open for the club to make a move on Dundee United goalkeeper Alan Combe, hotly tipped for a move to the club he supported while growing up in Edinburgh.  Gary Smith meanwhile is thinking over a new one-year deal offered by the club, managing director Rod Petrie saying yesterday that the former Aberdeen defender signed three years ago by Alex McLeish has been made an offer, saying: ""Gary is actively considering the offer and we are hoping he will accept the deal."  It is the end of the road however for Derek Townsley, and the former Motherwell utility player is clearly angered by the manner in which the club have gone about their business.  Townsley let off a broadside in the direction of Rod Petrie by way of a parting shot yesterday, claiming that the club had told him in January that a new two-year deal was on the table, however over the months since the club have back-tracked on that and last week finally told the player he would not be offered a new contract.

Townsley had gone a long way to winning over many in the Hibernian support this season and it is disappointing that not agreement could be reached with a player who has proven his versatility, playing in just about every position bar goalkeeper and given his all for the club.  Another player who has impressed this season in spite of the clubs poor form in general has been Grant Brebner, his highlight being a hat-trick against Dundee United in the Scottish Cup back in January.  Brebner was named in the club statement yesterday as one of the players with whom talks are taking place over his current contract, which still has a year to run.  Last month Brebner told Radiohibs.net that he would wish to remain at Easter Road for as long as possible, and would not be difficult to deal with over a new deal, however Hibs.net understands that Brebner was offered a new 3-year contract last month and turned it down.  Talks continue with the former Manchester United and Reading midfielder, with Bobby Williamson believed to be keen to retain Brebner.