Hibs boss John Collins admits he expects to sell fullback David Murphy.
"He will move on eventually, but it won't be in January."
Murphy, 23, is under contract until 2010 and is into his fourth season at Easter Road, having been released by Middlesbrough.
It was Tony Mowbray who brought him to Edinburgh and his old boss, now in charge at West Brom, made a summer approach.
However, Mowbray was scared off by Hibs' asking price.
"The lad comes from England and has always said that he would like to go back there eventually," added Collins.
"He is an ambitious boy and wants to play at the highest level possible and I can understand that."