HIBERNIAN are still pushing to sign Bailey Wright from Sunderland despite the loan signing of young Burnley defender CJ Egan-Riley yesterday.

However, former Black Cats boss Lee Johnson faces stiff competition from Rotherham United and Portsmouth as he looks to reunite with the Australian centre-half.

Sunderland are set to confirm the signing of Joe Anderson today, with the 21-year-old defender having spent yesterday at the Academy of Light undergoing a medical and tying up the details of his move from Everton.

Anderson’s arrival will strengthen the Black Cats’ central-defensive ranks, and could well herald the departure of Wright, who would ideally like to secure more regular first-team football in the remainder of the season.

Hibs held talks over Wright earlier in the month, and remain interested despite yesterday’s capture of Egan-Riley, who is set to go straight into Johnson’s squad for tonight’s game with Ross County.

Ryan Porteous left Hibs to join Watford last week, and with Rocky Bushiri injured, Egan-Riley, Paul Hanlon and Will Fish are the SPL club’s only available centre-halves.

Rotherham have been linked with a possible season-long loan move for Wright, while League One side Portsmouth are also known to have lodged a firm interest in the 30-year-old, who was part of Australia’s squad at the recent World Cup finals in Qatar.