Rovers launch bid for Hughes

Neal Eardley (left): Linked with Bristol City.

DONCASTER ROVERS have fired the first shots in the battle to sign Lee Hughes by declaring they want to recruit the Athletic striker.

Manager Sean O’Driscoll has gone public by stating that he has spoken to John Sheridan about Hughes, who is Athletic’s 13-goal top scorer.

O’Driscoll has since taken it a step further by contacting Athletic chief executive Alan Hardy to inform him of Doncaster’s interest in the player.

“Sean rang me out of courtesy to inform me had had spoken to our manager and that Doncaster are considering making an offer in January,” explained Mr Hardy.

Athletic say Doncaster, who have long been rumoured to have been tracking the player, are aware of the £400,000 release clause in the contract of Hughes, who has been offered a lucrative new two-year deal to stay at Boundary Park where he would become the club’s highest-paid player.

It is thought the transfer fee could be an obstacle, something mentioned by Doncaster on their website. There are suggestions they may offer a cash-plus-player package to tempt Athletic, who have their striker Darren Byfield currently on loan.

But as newly-promoted Doncaster bid to stave off the threat of relegation from the Coca-Cola Championship, O’Driscoll is aware that he needs extra firepower if they are to beat the drop.

Doncaster have scored only 17 goals in their 26 league matches, the worst strike rate of any of the 24 clubs in the Championship.

Bristol City are again being linked with a £1million move for Athletic’s Welsh international full-back Neal Eardley.

It has been reported that the West Country club want 20-year-old Eardley to replace Bradley Orr, who has been transfer-listed for refusing to pledge his future to the club by signing a contract which was offered to him last summer.

Mr Hardy explained this in the second time in recent weeks that he has heard Eardley’s name mentioned with Bristol City, but he added there has been no contact with the Ashton Gate club.

Athletic have proved they are good neighbours by loaning their frost covers to local non-league club Stalybridge Celtic in a bid to help them beat the freeze.

Celtic, who have not had a home fixture since November 11, are feeling the pinch financially so are desperate that their local derby against Hyde United goes ahead on New Year’s Day (3pm).