Williamson has had to work within a tight budget

BBC Scotland believes that the Edinburgh outfit had informally approached possible candidates for the manager's job should Williamson leave the club.

But Williamson believes that he was given the backing of the board following a meeting on Sunday and expects his fate to be decided before Saturday's Scottish Premier League meeting with Dundee.

There had been suggestions that a section of the board wanted him dismissed, having already invoked a 12-month notice period in his five-year contract, but it seems that a new deal on a smaller salary is close to being agreed.

The club have privately insisted that it was a reaction to financial problems that meant they could no longer afford the terms of Williamson's present five-year contract rather than a desire for a change in tenure.

Once it is concluded, we can then talk openly Hibs boss Bobby Williamson

Williamson said: "I can't clarify anything. I'm hoping that it will be sorted out by next weekend, but sometimes these things take time."

Williamson is attempting to prepare his players for Hibs' CIS Cup tie against Queen of the South and said: "You just have to get on with it and try not to let it disrupt you and make you lose focus on what we are trying to achieve here, which is to win football matches.

"I want to see this job through because it's an honour and a privilege to be here, but I've got to work hard to make sure that I stay.

"We are still talking about it at this moment in time and, once it is concluded, we can then talk openly."

Amid reports that Williamson's 12-month notice period started in August, Hibs' statement read: "The board confirmed that discussions over contractual issues are taking place with Bobby Williamson and that it is hoped to resolve these issues as speedily as possible.

"These talks - dealing with personal and confidential matters between the club and its employee - are properly conducted in private. The club has no intention of breaking that confidence.

"The board also stated that Bobby Williamson is the manager of the club and dismissed out of hand mischievous speculation that the on-going discussions were designed to end the manager's tenure."

Hibs dump Killie

Williamson's side have had an indifferent start to the season but responded to the latest furure by defeating his former club, Kilmarnock, on Saturday.

He had angered the Ayrshire club by breaking his contract with them to take over at Hibs, but he has never been accepted by some Easter Road fans.

Williamson arrived 20 months ago with Hibs struggling at the foot of the Scottish Premier League and was unable to secure a top six finish in the league in his first full season.

He was forced to reduce his player pool significantly as Hibs cut costs and his back-room team of Gerry McCabe and Jim Clark were asked to take a drop in salary.

Williamson has had to rely on a small, youthful squad and, 10 games into the SPL campaign, Hibs have picked up 14 points and are fifth in the table.