BY DARREN JOHNSTONE – Capital City Press
Hibernian head coach Alan Stubbs is considering handing deals to defender Keith Watson and goalkeeper Antonio Reguero.
The versatile Watson made nine appearances on loan at Easter Road from Dundee United during the second half of last season but departed the Leith club in May without the offer of fresh terms.
Despite being linked with a move to Terry Butcher’s Newport County following his exit at Tannadice, the 25-year-old could now be set to return to Hibs on a permanent deal.
Watson was due to meet up with the squad yesterday as Stubbs, who has dropped his interest in former Raith Rovers defender Paul Watson following a trial, and his players jetted out from Edinburgh for their week-long training camp in La Manga.
Stubbs, who had been running the rule over former Mansfield Town keeper Sascha Studer, is also thought to have turned his attention to Spaniard Reguero as he searches for a shot-stopper to challenge Mark Oxley for the gloves.
Reguero, who celebrated his 33rd birthday on Saturday, is a free agent after making 16 appearances for Ross County last season.
The Madrid-born player has also been on the books of Kilmarnock and Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
Hibs attacking pair Farid El Alagui and Martin Boyle, meanwhile, were not part of the squad that jetted out to Spain for their pre-season camp.
Boyle, who signed a permanent two-year deal following an initial loan stint from Dundee, underwent an operation to mend a knee ligament injury in May and has remained at the club’s East Mains training base to continue his rehabilitation.
Striker El Alagui had a minor knee operation carried out during the close season and faces a race against time to be fit for the first competitive game of the season on July 25 in the first round of the Petrofac Training Cup against Rangers.
Stubbs said: “Martin is still a few weeks behind the rest of the group. He has stayed behind to work on a one-to-one basis with the fitness coaches.
“Farid is one that we’ll have to play by ear, we’ll let Farid dictate that. We’ll do work with him as and when he feels right.
“He’s due to step up his regime on Monday in terms of starting to jog.”
