Hibs boss John Collins admits he expects to sell fullback David Murphy.

"He is a quality footballer and I am sure that there will come a time when we receive an offer that we can't refuse," Collins told the Evening News. "We have got to be realistic. I could say that David Murphy is going nowhere but we all know that is not the case.

"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."