Michael Stewart has been told to find a new club

Stewart is among players, including goalkeeper Simon Brown, informed that their contracts will not be renewed.

Manager Collins said: "Michael has not been singled out in any way.

"He has not been disciplined in any way and the club has stressed to him that it will honour all of its contractual obligations to him."

The 26-year-old Stewart, who has three caps for Scotland, joined Hibs after being released by Manchester United in 2005.

He was a regular starter under Collins but has not played since coming off at half time in the 1-1 draw with St Mirren on 4 April.

Michael approached the club within the past two weeks seeking clarification of his future Hibernian manager John Collins

There has since been dressing-room unrest, with a reported 17 players having last week complained to chairman Rod Petrie about Collins' training methods and team selection.

Hibs players this week issued a collective public apology to the manager.

Now it has been revealed that Stewart will not be required for first-team duties for the remainder of the season.

But Hibs stress that the midfielder, who spent loan spells with Royal Antwerp, Nottingham Forest and Hearts while at Old Trafford, had been told a fortnight ago that there would be no new deal.

"All first-team players who are out of contract at the end of the season were written to at the same time and informed of the club's plans for next season as far as each of them is concerned," said Collins.

"The club has done this to provide an early and honest indication to players, so that they can make their plans, and has asked for an honest and timely response in return where appropriate.

"In point of fact, Michael approached the club within the past two weeks seeking clarification of his future.

"We have responded to provide an experienced player every opportunity to find himself a new club and, to that end, have informed him that he is free to deal with other clubs and we have thanked him for his contribution.

"Decisions that have been taken have been taken for football reasons only."

Hibs have not yet revealed the other players not being offered new contracts.

Injured striker Chris Killen has been offered a contract extension.