Paatelainen is anxious to keep Shiels at Easter Road

Hibs manager Mixu Paatelainen still hopes to persuade Dean Shiels to remain at Easter Road beyond the summer.

The 23-year-old, whose contract expires at the end of the season, has been linked with Rangers and moves to several English Championship clubs.

"I have spoken to Dean and the talks carry on," said Paatelainen.

"I don't want to go into speculation about his future any more. He is our player and he is doing a fantastic job for us."

Northern Ireland international Shiels, who can operate in midfield or up front, moved to Easter Road from Arsenal in 2004.

Two penalties in the 4-2 defeat to Kilmarnock on Saturday took his tally for the season to four goals.

Hibs skipper Rob Jones hobbled off during the first half at the weekend and a damaged hamstring makes him a doubt for Saturday's Edinburgh derby visit to Tynecastle.

"He is very important to us, he is our captain and a solid defender," Paatelainen said.

"But he is still struggling. He came off because of a slight strain in his hamstring and he is a big doubt."

Jones had felt a tightness in his hamstring before the match but Paatelainen had no problem with his decision to play.

The Finn added: "The player knows how he feels and he is the person to judge whether to play or not.

"On Saturday, that match was the most important match for us.

"Now he is struggling to make Saturday but hopefully he will make it."

While Jones may miss out, one player who could come in for his debut is Jonatan Johannson, who will officially join the club on Thursday following his departure from Malmo.

The 33-year-old former Rangers and Charlton forward, who has been training with Hibs for two weeks, will play in a bounce game on Tuesday in a bid to boost his fitness.

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