Hibernian are still hopeful of adding to their squad ahead of Friday's 11pm transfer deadline - but the Scottish Premiership side have been forced into a rethink in one key position.

Head coach David Gray remains keen to bring in reinforcements in defence and in midfield, but a proposed move for Bournemouth centre-back Owen Bevan has been called off after the Welshman suffered an injury during pre-season with the Cherries. Hibs had been hopeful the 20-year-old would recover in time to join up with the squad after his initial loan move in January fell through due to injury, but the prognosis has been such that Easter Road chiefs have turned their attention to other central defensive targets.

Ecuadorian full-back Jhon Espinoza was linked with a move to Hibs by media in his homeland just weeks after being touted for a move to Inter Milan, Standard Liege, and Beerschot. Right-back is not a position Hibs are looking to strengthen, with Lewis Miller, Chris Cadden, and Kanayo Megwa all capable of performing there, albeit Cadden has mostly been used further forward by Gray this season. 

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The last couple of weeks of the transfer window have been dominated by Hibs' pursuit of Dundee midfielder Luke McCowan, who captained the visitors during their 2-2 draw at Easter Road last weekend. The 26-year-old is a key target for Hibs, who have had two bids rejected by Dark Blues chiefs but the Dens Park side are still to make a call on a third offer of £750,000. 

The Hibs hierarchy sees McCowan as capable of coming into the midfield and improving it immediately, but they won't be held to ransom for a player in the final year of his contract. It remains to be seen if reported interest from Celtic affects proceedings, but Hibs will move onto other options should it become apparent that a deal for McCowan won't be possible. Wolves and Republic of Ireland midfielder Joe Hodge, who was also on Huddersfield's radar, spent time training with Hibs this summer but that link appears to have gone cold. 

There has always been the prospect of internal trading between the clubs in the Black Knight network, and Hibs could yet benefit from their involvement in Bill Foley's group, with Bournemouth the most likely source of any new arrivals - but any such activity might happen closer to the deadline as teams get all their ducks in a row. 

In terms of outgoings, club chiefs remain keen to slim down a still-bloated squad, but that will be easier said than done. A number of players, particularly in the midfield corps, are not in Gray's plans and will be allowed to leave if the right move and club can be found. 

Élie Youan has been tipped for an exit all summer, with reported interest in the attacker from clubs in France and Italy. He is still working his way back from an injury sustained in the dying moments of the 5-1 Premier Sports Cup group victory over Queen's Park in July but is taking part in training and fully focused on returning to action, even going so far as to do extra work in a bid to quicken his return to action. Should he remain at Hibs past the deadline, there is an outside chance he could be involved against Kilmarnock but Gray is unlikely to take any unnecessary risks.