Hibernian manager Terry Butcher has urged Kevin Thomson to show he is ready for action again.
The 29-year old former Rangers and Middlesbrough midfielder has appeared in less than a handful of matches since Butcher took the reins at Easter Road but both parties have insisted that is not due to a rift between the pair.
Butcher, who arrived in Edinburgh from Inverness in November, says that Thomson can become a key contributor for the Hibees if he recovers fully from a calf problem.
"The door is never closed, it is always open," said Butcher. "It is up to players then to push it wider.
"He needs to get fit first. He has not been available to play since the St Johnstone game [in December].
"He has only featured in four out of my 12 games. He has to get fit and he has to get out there. And he has to get some time on the training field, first and foremost."
Of the reported rift, Butcher added: "Kevin is a good professional and he loves this football club.
"He has had some great, great times at this football club. And who is to say there cannot be great times ahead? But he has to work hard and get to the standard that I feel is right for the team, because there are some good players in his position who have done well.
"Can we put that to bed now?"
