Vitesse Arnhem will offer striker Wilfried Bony a new contract in the hope of persuading him not only to stay at the club, but also to skip the African Nations Cup in January so that he might fire them into the Champions League.
The 23-year-old Ivory Coast striker is being chased by a string of clubs after an electric start to the season.
He scored his 15th goal of the campaign on Sunday, the winner as Vitesse registered a 2-1 upset of PSV Eindhoven at the Philips Stadion to move within two points of the Eredivisie leaders.
"We have concrete plans to keep Bony on board," general manager Erwin Kasakowski said in De Telegraaf.
"We are already in discussions with his agent."
Bony's existing contract runs until 2015, leaving Vitesse under no pressure to sell as they chase their best league finish since taking third place in 1998.
But reports suggest they have another incentive to talk to Bony now as they are keen not to lose the focal point of their attack when the African Nations Cup begins in January.
"We need to keep the team as strong as possible in the second half of the season, and that includes Bony," Kasakowski added.
This week, which marks the first anniversary of Hibs manager Pat Fenlon's appointment, concludes on Sunday with a Scottish Cup final replay, with Hibs and Hearts drawn against each other for the fourth round, as the SPL clubs enter the competition for the first time this season.
Stevenson, though, is concentrating on bouncing back from the league losses to Dundee and Aberdeen with victory at McDiarmid Park.
"I've played in many derbies and the derby takes care of itself," Stevenson said.
"St Johnstone's the biggest game we've got, especially after two defeats in the league in a row. We need to get a decent result."
The 24-year-old is content to continue at left-back, with injuries to captain James McPake (back) and Tim Clancy (groin) forcing the switch from midfield.
"I'm happy to play anywhere," Stevenson added.
"When I first broke through I was a left-back and I changed to a midfielder.
"I'm probably only filling in there just now until the injured players are back.
"When James and Tim come back, which is hopefully soon, I won't be too down if the manager reshuffles."
While Hibs seek to respond from two straight losses, St Johnstone hope to build on a three-match unbeaten run which included Saturday's 2-1 win at Kilmarnock.
Manager Steve Lomas said: "There is a massive incentive. We want back to back wins, we are at home and we want to push ahead of them in the table.
"But Hibs will be wanting to bounce back from their defeat.
"It has the makings of a good game and we are looking forward to it."
