Scottish Premier League side Hibernian are interested in bringing Preston North End goalkeeper Chris Maxwell to Easter Road on loan, The Daily Record have reported.

Maxwell has found himself out of favour at Deepdale, and hasn't featured for the Lancashire side since the start of November, and spent the second half of the season on loan at Charlton, although he failed to make an appearances for The Addicks as they were promoted to the Championship with Dillon Phillips establishing himself as their number one.

Despite his lack of game time recently, it appears that Hibernian are still keen on a temporary move for Maxwell as competition for the Scottish side's current first choice stopper Ofir Marciano, who has reportedly hinted that he could leave the club in the summer transfer window.

Maxwell has one year remaining on his contract at Deepdale, and with Declan Rudd and Connor Ripley ahead of him in the pecking order at Preston, he may need to use this year to prove to someone that he is worth giving a deal to in 12 months time.

The verdict

This feels like a good move for Maxwell.

He needs to be playing as much football as possible next year in order to impress and earn himself a new contract next summer - be that at Preston or somewhere else.

This could also be a good move for Hibernian, who could put themselves in a strong position to get the 28-year-old on a free transfer in 12 months time, should Preston opt not to extend his deal.