Terry Butcher has been cleared to speak to Hibs - but Inverness have vowed to fight to keep their manager.

Caley Thistle confirmed they had received an official approach from their Scottish Premiership rivals - who have been looking for a new manager since Pat Fenlon quit on Friday - and accepted Butcher's desire to speak to Hibs chairman Rod Petrie.

But they hope he stays loyal to the club as he did in January when he rejected a more lucrative offer to take over at English Championship club Barnsley.

Inverness and Hibs meet at Easter Road on Saturday but it is unclear whether Butcher will even be there as the Edinburgh club stated they had asked Jimmy Nicholl to continue as caretaker manager for the game.

Inverness chairman Kenny Cameron said: "Terry has expressed an interest in meeting with Hibs officials. The club has, with great reluctance, granted him permission to do so.

"We will, however, do everything possible to ensure Terry remains our manager."

Butcher last week led Caley Thistle to their second League Cup semi-final against Hearts in two seasons and they sit third in the league, three places above Hibs.

Hibs insisted their approach for the 54-year-old former England and Rangers captain had been made in the correct manner.

Butcher took charge of Caley Thistle in January 2009 and won the First Division title the following season after being unable to prevent the Highland side dropping out of the top flight. He led them to a fourth-placed finish last season.