The Evening News disclosed yesterday Paatelainen had ended his interest in New Zealand goalkeeper Phil Imray, who played as a trialist during a 0-0 draw at Stark's Park on Tuesday night.

Imray was one of three trialists who played in Kirkcaldy, the others being former Chelsea midfielder Joe Keenan and an un-named French defender. While Imray has departed, the other two remain with Hibs.

But, while that trio were given a public airing, Paatelainen has cast his eye over a succession of possible signings in the privacy of the club's training centre, one being Ivorian goalkeeper Lamine Meite.

However, while admitting the 21-year-old had done well, Paatelainen, who is looking to strengthen competition for the goalkeeping position with Yves Ma-Kalambay on Olympic Games duty with Belgium, won't be following up his interest.

In any case, Meite, who had been playing with French Second Division outfit Chateauroux, had expressed a preference to stay in France with both Paris St Germain and Metz said to be on his trail, although he'd also admitted he wouldn't be adverse to a move to Scotland.

Paatelainen, though, appears to be seeking a more experienced
goalkeeper with both Ma-Kalambay and Andy McNeil just 21 while David Grof is two years younger.

He said: "We've had trialists at training sessions and playing practice matches but that does not necessarily mean we are going to sign them although some people seem to think we should do so when they hear we've been looking at someone. Meite did well but I just felt we need a little bit more. I want whoever comes in to be quality, as simple as that. But it is not easy.

"We have two good goalkeepers in Andy and Yves but I feel we are a bit short in that department. I'd like to bring in someone – I don't like to call it cover – who will really challenge for that position. David is a bright prospect who is on a long-term contract but I think he would benefit from playing a full season on loan elsewhere."

Although David van Zanten remains, thus far, Paatelainen's only signing, the Hibs manager insisted he was working round the clock to bring in further new faces.

Some familiar figures will also be leaving as he seeks to reduce the size of what he feels is an unwieldy squad. Meanwhile, a young Hibs X1 defeated Forfar Athletic 1-0 at Station Park last night, the only goal coming in the 44th minute as Darren McCormack beat goalkeeper Ally Brown, who was released by the Easter Road club at the end of last season.

Hibs: Grof, Park (Moyce 61), Booth, Welsh, McCormack, Currie, Wotherspoon (Johnstone 61), Russell, Byrne (Kelly 61), Gray, Cropley. Subs not used: Bell, Welch, Smith.