BY IAIN COLLIN – Capital City Press
Hibernian’s hopes of re-signing former keeper Ben Williams could be scuppered by a possible compensation issue.
The Easter Road outfit have held discussions over a move to bring the former Manchester United player back to the capital this summer.
However, the 32-year-old, who reluctantly left 12 months ago after two years at the club following relegation from the Premiership, still has a year left on his current contract at Bradford City having penned an 18-month extension midway through last season.
The ex-Crewe and Colchester United shot-stopper is scheduled to return on Monday to pre-season training with the Bantams, for whom he played 25 times last term.
It is understood Williams would consider a return to Hibs if a formal approach transpires but the Easter Road club are expected to be unwilling to pay any fee to the English League One side, meaning they may need to look elsewhere.
Last season’s number one, the loan signing Mark Oxley, is a free agent after leaving Hull City this summer and is also still under consideration for a permanent deal.
However, as things stand, head coach Alan Stubbs will start his pre-season preparations with only development squad keeper Sean Brennan following the departures of Tomas Cerny and Kleton Perntreou at the end of the campaign.
Meanwhile, freed Dundee United defender Keith Watson is not expected to be offered a permanent contract by Hibs after spending the second half of last term on loan at Easter Road.
