Hibernian head coach Neil Lennon is hopeful the club will soon agree a new contract for striker Jason Cummings.

Lennon met with Cummings and his agent in Paris this month to discuss his plans for the future - a plan that the Northern Irishman hopes to have the 20-year-old involved in.

The former Bolton and Celtic boss was keen to dissuade Cummings from wanting to move out of the Scottish Championship after two successful goal scoring campaigns.

Lennon believes he has given the forward a strong argument to remain at Easter Road.

Asking if Cummings was closer to signing an extension to his deal, which ends next summer, Lennon said: "We hope we're not far away.

"I think he was really pleased with what we had to say and what we thought of him.

"He is an important player for me. He scored a lot of goals last year and I think another year or two with me and Hibs would do him a world of good.

"He is only 20 and he still has a lot to learn but he is a very talented player already.

"If he goes somewhere else then he has to go and prove himself all over again, which is fine. The kid is hungry and he is ambitious.

"But I think that to fulfil his ambitions his best place is here."

Cummings could have a new strike partner next season in former Norwich and Wigan star Grant Holt.

Lennon has held talks with the 6ft 1in striker, who has left Rochdale, and believes he fits the bill for the seasons ahead.

The head coach said: "We have had talks with him but there is nothing concrete just yet.

"He is a player I like - I have known him for a long time.

"People will look at his age and think he's done, but he's a fresh 35-year-old with a couple of years left in him.

"He is exactly the type of player we are looking for here."