The talented right sided player is looking at signing an extension in the next day or two - but Chris Sutton will only dole out a six month contract at this stage.
With one fearful eye on the drop to the BSP, Sutton is delaying any longer term deals until the Imps predicament is sorted, or compounded.
The son of Newcastle boss Chris has been a solidperformer for the Imps this term as well as managing to feature for the Eire Under 21 side.
A six month deal means Cian could leave for free in the summer, but as he is under 24 a tribunal would set any potential fee. His current valuation is thought to be around 20k, however a continued spell in the Eire side could see that rise to 50k.
Bob Dorrian confirmed that although a six month deal is in the offing, an improvement in The Imps circumstances would leave scope for a longer deal for Cian.
"With regards to Cian Hughton, we are fairly certain we are very close to doing a deal until the end of the season, but there were no thoughts of a two-year deal at this stage," said Dorrian.
"If, between now and the end of the season, Chris wants him for the foreseeable future – maybe a one or two-year contract – that will be done sooner rather than later."